Gary Lineker aims brutal seven-word blast at England players after Euro 2024 defeat

England suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024 and BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker gave a brutal assessment of their performance

Gary Lineker has taken a brutal swipe at England and manager Gareth Southgate following their Euro 2024 defeat by Spain.

Nico Williams gave Spain the lead just after half-time, before Cole Palmer came off the bench to score an equaliser. However, Mikel Oyarzabal struck a late goal to earn Spain a deserved 2-1 win and extend England’s wait for a first major trophy since 1966.

And BBC presenter Lineker delivered a cutting verdict on England’s performance in the final, simply stating: “It is a victory for attacking football.” Lineker also suggested that the game may be Southgate’s last as Three Lions boss.

Speaking to ITV after the game, Southgate refused to be drawn on his future, saying: “I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that. I’ve got to talk to the right people. It’s not for now.”

But Lineker believes Southgate will walk away from the job, stating: “I suspect Gareth Southgate may have had enough. It is a tough, gruelling job.” Former England striker Alan Shearer added: “I suspect it will be Southgate’s last game.

“From where he took over and where they are now. There will be great disappointment at home. Yes, we could have played more attacking football but they have got to the final. But when you are here, you have got to get over the line.

“The reality is he got us to a final three years ago and got us to a final here, and hasn’t won. That will hurt him and maybe he will think it’s time for someone else.”

Gareth Southgate’s future as England manager is up in the air ( 
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England star Jude Bellingham has also given his thoughts on Southgate’s future, stating: “For me, it’s down to the manager and what the FA decide. I’ve got nothing but respect for Gareth giving me my debut in the squad, made me feel very at home.

“He is someone who, I think, in the last year or two as well, our relationship’s kind of gone a little bit past football, where I feel like I can open up to him a lot and I think that speaks volumes of the kind of man he is as well. Whatever happens with Gareth, I’ll always respect him.

“If he stays, then I’ll be even more determined to win something for him because he deserves it. Sometimes the numbers and the kind of statistics, the records don’t lie, he’s been our most successful manager since 1966. So whatever he decides, he will always have my respect and my love.”