Gareth Southgate has been backed as the best man for England despite suggestions he could be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino.
Southgate has been a popular figure since taking charge of the Three Lions in 2016, but many will be questioning his future after two utterly dreadful games against Iceland and Denmark.
Southgate has faced criticism for leaving one of England’s most creative players, Jack Grealish, on the bench for the majority of Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Denmark when the Three Lions were crying out for attacking verve
England only scraped a 1-0 win over Iceland last weekend thanks to Raheem Sterlings late penalty and the hosts stoppage-time miss from the spot.
And Tuesdays display against the Danes was perhaps one of the most awful in recent memory, as the teams drew 0-0 in the drabbest of drab statemates.
Even top sports writer and England football correspondent Henry Winter, who is usually very positive about the Three Lions, hammered Southgate after the grim outing.
Well, that was grim. And self-inflicted. #eng have one of the best sets of attackers around – Sancho, Kane, Sterling – yet Southgate picks a cautious, clueless system that emasculates them. No creativity, no thought. Displays like this deserve to be behind closed doors. Poor.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 8, 2020
Southgates future in charge was one of the main topics on Tuesday nights Sports Bar.
talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein even tipped Pochettino to take over as England boss, with the Argentine still unemployed following his surprise departure from Tottenham last year.
But, asked if Southgate is the best man to take England to the Euros, Jason Cundy was unequivocal.
Right now, yes, without a doubt, replied the former Chelsea defender.
Pochettino? No, because Poch doesnt know these players, he hasnt worked with these players.
Weve got a manager here who the players trust.
Southgate was hailed for guiding England to a fourth-placed finish at the 2018 World Cup, but he’s now facing claiming his side has gone backwards
What has Southgate got to do to become a successful England manager? Because were not the best side in the world and were not the best in Europe. So what has he got to do?
I wouldnt have him in charge of my club, no, but England is different. Theres a different way of bringing players through into an international team and he knows how to do it, hes worked with the Under-21s.
I think Gareth Southgate is the best man for England right now.
But Goldstein didnt agree and said appointing Pochettino while he is available ahead of two upcoming major tournaments would be a no-brainer.
I like Southgate as a person, the Sports Bar host said. I think he speaks really well, I like the togetherness he brings with him to that quad, I like all of that.
But that counts for nothing when you see the way England played this evening against Denmark.
Andy Goldstein ‘doesn’t see it’ with Gareth Southgate and says Mauricio Pochettino would be better as England manager
The first-half was diabolical, and the second-half was only an improvement because the first-half was so bad!
I just dont see it with Southgate. Im not saying lets get rid of him when the Euros is coming, because that wont ever happen.
But all Ill say is this; you look at someone like Pochettino who hasnt got a job – would he get a better performance, would he have a better understanding, would he tactically be a better manager to take England to the World Cup or European Championship?
The answer is yes!
Pochettino has been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham last November
I worry when I see what Southgate is doing, because this was not a friendly and we were appalling, we were clueless!
Its awful. Were edging towards the Euros and I still feel Southgate is experimenting. He still doesnt have a clue what team he should play!
Whose side are you on with this one?
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