‘They find a way to lose big games’: Roy Keane blasts England’s lack of ruthlessness after World Cup quarter-final exit against France – and insists Gareth Southgate ‘shouldn’t hang around’ if he doesn’t want to stay on
Roy Keane has criticised England‘s habit of ‘finding a way to lose’ when they contest big matches, three days after their World Cup quarter-final loss against France.
The Three Lions were defeated 2-1 by Les Bleus on Saturday, with Olivier Giroud scoring a late winner and captain Harry Kane missing the chance to equalise from the penalty spot in a tight, tense game.
And ITV pundit Keane insisted England need to be more ruthless – before claiming manager Gareth Southgate shouldn’t ‘hang around’ if he doesn’t want to stay in the top job amid speculation about his future.
ITV Pundit Roy Keane has criticised England’s habit of ‘finding a way to lose’ in big matches
The Three Lions lost the World Cup quarter-final against France on Saturday, missing a penalty
He said: ‘That’s where the players have to take control. When we were at the game it’s like having your foot in someone throat, you need to press down.
‘It came down to fine details, you have to find a way to win, and in a lot of these big games England find a way to lose.
‘I think Gareth should stay, but if he doesn’t want it, don’t hang around.’
And Keane insisted boss Gareth Southgate shouldn’t ‘hang around’ if he doesn’t want to stay
England lost in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia in 2018 after going ahead, and then again in the Euro 2020 final against Italy on penalties, again after going ahead.
There has been plenty of speculation about Southgate’s future after the tournament exit, with fellow pundit Gary Neville saying he is ‘convinced’ the 52-year-old should stay on.
Former Middlesbrough boss Southgate dropped the strongest hint yet that he will stay on Tuesday, telling fringe members of his World Cup squad they are part of his plans.
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