Lineker likens England’s almost-success stories to that of Man City
England legend, Gary Lineker praised Southgate’s men for the way they play whilst comparing them with Manchester City.
Former Barcelona and Spurs striker Gary Lineker is hoping that Gareth Southgate continues on as England’s manager all the while comparing the Three Lions defeats in the final stages of tournaments to that of Manchester City in the Champions League.
Having led England to a world Cup semi-final and quarter final as well as a European Championship final, Gareth Southgate is now pondering on the decision to leave his post as England manager. While Southgate has had many critics in England, Lineker believes that he should be the one to choose what he does with his future and not the FA since Southgate has earned that chance.
"I do hope Gareth stays. I think it's right that the decision is down to him,"
Lineker told BBC Sport.
"He's done a really good job, you've got to consider where we were a few years ago.
"Everyone thinks it's an easy job and everyone thinks: 'I'd have played him and not him, or brought him on earlier and not him'. It's very easy in hindsight.
"I think Gareth has done a really good job. The only thing you'd say about him is sometimes he hasn't changed things dramatically in games where it's not going well.
"It's very easy to be judgmental but World Cups are not leagues. In a league, the best team always wins. In a World Cup, it's a knockout."
Despite getting knocked out by France,
Englandhad a higher percentage of possession as well as double the France’s number of shots. The Three Lions also managed to score 13 goals which is more than any they have had in any tournament. This led Lineker to comparing England with
Manchester Citywho have been dominating in the Premier League but always manage to get knocked out in the Champions League.
"Take Manchester City, probably the best club side in the world, but they haven't won the Champions League and they haven't won it under Pep Guardiola, who is the best coach in the world,"
Lineker added.
"No one would say, 'let's get Pep out because we haven't won the Champions League', because that would be madness.
"We haven't won the World Cup but we're going in the right direction. England are playing really good, attractive football with lots of exciting young players. Why would you mess with it now?"
Southgate is set to hold talks with English FA over his future in January 2023.
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