Lampard's the most available, will get instant respect from the players plus the international game is different from club football. I'll take Lampard over Potter all day long.
No player is going to step aside from playing a final for their country even when they're not 100 percent. It's on the manager to decide to play a player or not.
That's how players are. Look at alan Shearer he went on not scoring for England for 2 years and yet he was starting above everyone else and was playing full 90 minutes. Stop blaming the player blame the manager. They make the decisions
Loved the last few minutes of Merson’s analysis. Spain played as a team England were a side full of individuals. And what he said about Academy football is spot on too. My son (no world beater) is a lovely passer of the ball, plays two touch football but he plays for a side with one or two lads who dribble, dribble then lose it. But they are lauded as great talents even though they don’t track back and do little to help the team. This is why I have become disillusioned with it all. Merson, thank you for brilliant analysis.
You gotta be blind to not see Williams talent. I said during the finals that this guy is deadly and we need to keep an eye on him. Then a little while later, he scores.
With Neville and Carragher, Merson is the best pundit out there. Consistently illuminating. Never rolls out the same old platitudes. Not afraid to be controversial, but never controversial for its own sake. Brilliant thinker and explainer of the game
Well said mate ...I've thought that for years glad he's getting the plaudits at last ....he isn't always right by any means but at least he has some actual opinions
I have watched in for 42 years and little has really changed. Yes, we have got to a couple of finals and and semi, but there is always a team better than us and I never get the feeling we will win it. I think we could play from here to eternity and never see England win a tournament unless there is a paradigm shift.
Mers is spot on, the last six years was our turn on the cycle, massive vacuum in international football that he had the players to capitalise on and didnt, we really did miss a trick.
Merse said he couldnt see us not winning it 2 weeks ago, now we have no pace, cant pass the ball, Harry is no good, we were world beaters before it started?? Sorry there full of it these so called pundits! Favourites, dont make me laugh!
You no what sad a player like merson wouldn’t make it today or gazza not allowed be off cuff or creative got be good little boy and a robot who 6ft 9 does 100 in 8 seconds
Yeah!! As a Scot I'm all in favour of Lampard bring new England manager bye was crap at Chelsea, Crap at Everton and again again at Chelsea. Bring it on. It will be another disaster for England. No heart, no passion, no chance
At least Kane scored a couple. Foden played 14 games (including qualifying) Zero goals Zero assists Why isn’t he getting some stick? He also played as a number 10 in the friendly before the tournament against Iceland and did nothing. Absolute media darling.
I thought that too. Grealish set up one goal and was part of the move for another goal in the friendly against Bosnia and then got dumped from the squad altogether 3 days later yet Foden sailed through but had done nothing.
So let me get this straight...... England are the only team with world class players, BUT........they can't perform for England, to the same level as they do at their clubs, because at their clubs they're surrounded by world class players?!?!?! The mental gymnastics are fucking strong in England 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Yes I agree, I think that's why they are over rated because in premiership they have other world class players around them. For England they don't. Absolutely, I think this is overlooked. Then again most countries for their clubs aren't surrounded by world class players, but perform really well in tournaments, like Spain or France
It makes sense if you look at the coaching. They're well drilled and coached day in day out for their clubs where everyone knows their roles. For the England national team, they're not coached well. Players play out of position and are setup up too negatively. They're not coached to play possession football high up the pitch. Coaching makes the difference between Spain and England. No mental gymnastics required.
I know nothing about football (armchair watcher and read countless of autobiographies only). However, I just realised why most ex-footballers could not be managers. The game has changed so much since the 80's & 90's. I also recall a lot of the current co-commentaters/ex -footballers), played for England during the dark days (meaning did not qualify or not out of the group stage).
Kane is the same as Southgate...a good loser. That's why he never wins anything. Cole Palmer was devastated and was badly treated by Southgate. Kane was his usual, "oh well, maybe next time". It is an utter nonsense. Get Tuchel in...10 major trophies under his belt. Make Bellingham captain and look to winning the WC in two years time.
@@treble20Best comment 🏆 This is what ANY other competitor would do. What happened to Cole Palmer is CRIMINAL. Gareth clearly lost the trust of players who had to bail out the lack of game plan.
@@nudisco7882 Absolutely! Some people are saying that Southgate should be knighted!! For what? He had arguably the best squad of players in the tournament. It's not as if he was managing Scotland! He just sat there on the bench hoping for miracles to happen....well they didn't. Was Southgate a brilliant manager for England? No. Was he the worst England manager we have ever had? No. He was just Mr Average...and that is how his teams played. Teams take on the DNA of their manager. That is why England need an elite manager with a proven track record of winning things. I doubt Klopp would be interested, but if Tuchel wants the job, as is being reported, then it's a no brainer. If he was English, then it wouldn't even be up for debate.
@@billyp2516 England needs a very savvy manager thats good tactically in all aspects of the game. Lampard is only good at the attacking side of the game and potter isnt as good as what people think. We don't 100% know for sure that the defensive style southgate played wasnt the key to England success. In my opinion England are not a top 4 nation in reality, they're a good top 10 to 5 side and we need a manager who's good at getting results against better teams with the better players, Someone like Thomas Frank. Who in my opinion is southgate on acid, he's excellent on the defensive side of the game, but he can also get his teams scoring goals against the best as well.
Having closely watched the Copa America and the European Cup, I noticed the strong leadership and tactical acumen of Argentine, Colombian, and Uruguayan managers. These teams prioritize national pride over commercial interests, reflecting their fans' passion rather than corporate influence. Their success is further credited to the dedicated managers instilling a winning mentality in players. In contrast, the English FA prioritizes appearances over results, evident in their struggles to keep up with the game's pace, leading to increased injuries due to excessive added minutes in Premier League matches to support sponsorship deals.
No. Increased time in premier league matches is to counter blatant time wasting which was wrecking the game in the last 20 minutes. Plus they are playing on carpets with 5 subs and the best medical and dietary people around.
I totally agree wityh Merson about the "team" argument. Teams win the tournament. The last 2 Euros were won by teams, even Messi's Argentina played as a Team to win the WC in Qatar.
well its true the odd English player is good but playing with the other top technically better foreign player they are just not that good, its also about balance in the England team, and the other thing he said CAPELLO ffs he had the likes of arguably the best centre back of all time in BERESI and MALDINI in his AC MILAN side yet he could do feck all for the England side
What lot of nonsense what does the German league have to do with it?? Olmo plays in Germany so does Musiala. its this nonsense everything centered around the PL which is basically because of foreigners giving the impression the overrated players are too good
If English, has to be: Eddie Howe or Carsley. If non-English: Klopp (though doubtful he would ever take, as he wants to relax, so no idea why his name is being constantly thrown into the mix). No way Lampard, Rooney or Gerrard. They have poor man-management and inter-personal skills. No way: the Argentian Pochettino. He comes across as a bit of an opportunist. Plus, an Argentian manager would be a kick in the teeth. Since 1986 they've been the masters of the dark arts against us.
Merse brilliant tells it straight. Love the passion for the right manager bit .Merse's football brain is spot on what he is actually saying is- look we have best players so attitude is let the opposition play football and let them score goals, BUT we will do the same the difference is at the end we will score more than you. BUT England didn't do that and let lesser teams PLAY AS A TEAM and in doing so overall FAILED.
My suggestion to the England team is to stop playing usual football! Boring defensive play with dozens of back passes in every 15 minutes, and don’t have a clue of what’s coming at the end? Just watch the first half of your game in the final, everything was okay until half time. Then the team went to the dressing room and had all the advisors who gave them the game plan? But within 2 minutes time they forgotten about William Jr, gave him all the space in the world! And the damage was done! On the 47th minutes! Then Palmer gave a lifeline, but again England couldn’t hold on to that! So what’s the point of playing too defensive when you cannot defend a goal for a few minutes! In my opinion England should have played offensive and attacking football instead! Then we would have won!!!!!
Spot on and pundits on the tv shat it. All we’ve heard for years is scholes gerrard lampard. One should have been dropped for the benefit of the team yet; neville,right,shearer, richards, linakear all slebbered about playing bellingham fodden, they both need to play” You end up with a team with no balance and no width. Bottled it A brave manager drops Kane (not fit), brings a fit lb, doesn’t do experiments and starts Gordon on the left
Love this with Paul Merson . He was getting to the problem on a lot of reasons why England failed to lift the Euro trophy , Team play and using your players in their best position in the Team . Im a I.T.F.C. Town Supporter ,.......Look at the club now , K. McKenna has brought together a side with new signings to take on the Premier clubs . Doing just that! using great players to their full potential .in a Team playing attacking Football . K. M . A Great England manager in a few years ,,...
Merson, Carragher and Barnes have the best views on it but all different. Carragher blames players,Barnes blames not bringing the players that he has used and instead went on form but that they were not international players,and Merson blames a bit of both
I found Barnes's comments original and interesting. That Southgate changed his style and didn't go with the players that fit his system but rather went with the in-form players that the public were clamoring for and it cost him. Ironically playing Rashford and Sterling probably would have improved the performance of Kane.
Some make it up as you go along stuff, but also some pertinent points from Merse. If we qualify for WC26, how we gonna cope in the heat?! No manager can get us playing right.
I could listen to very few ex pros but, Mersin, Keane and Le Tissier all night no problem. No bullshit. They know football and they don’t have any agenda, unlike quite a few other high profile pundits who just boil your piss
1st time listening to this podcast. Absolutely love you Jeff and Merson (even though I’m spurs) soccer Saturday isn’t the same without you Mr Stelling. Lots of love to you both 😘
It's the players who step on that pitch who are to blame. They have been given the opportunity to win something twice now & failed to grasp that moment of immortality that awaited them. We got lucky to have fortunate runs to get to where Gareth has taken us but just because we have players who individually thrive at club level does not mean we have some divine right to be beating anyone, we HAVE to prove it. Over the last 8 years they just have not been collectively good enough. We cannot hold possession of the ball & pass under pressure when it comes down to other teams, the best we can hope for is to attack & go to score goals. When we get knocked out in the Quarter Finals in the World Cup of 2026, it will be a brave defeat but if we don't get hold of the ball we won't win a thing
In the same way England fans get attacked now everywhere they go even though the majority of fans these days are middle aged, middle class people and kids is the same reason why teams want to beat England. It's England. It's the heartbeat of the Colonial Britain. It's the supposed inventor of the game. It's the cocksure team that can be beatable. International teams fear Spain, Germany, Italy and so on. They want to beat England and they see them as beatable. That does motivate teams.
Yes Mr Merson you are 100% correct England never played like a team just 11 individuals with negativity thought The only time we showed passion was when we went behind where scared of losing
Spain and Argentina have shown the English F.A exactly what to do, promote from within your own: U16, U18 and U21 structure. That's where Spain and Argentina found their current managers and where the F.A found Southgate.
I’m a Spurs fan but I have to say Merse is spot on - I’ve listened to all the other pundit opinions but none come close to Merse! Kudos! Ps Lamps good shout!
If English, has to be: Eddie Howe or Carsley. If non-English: Klopp (though doubtful he would ever take, as he wants to relax, so no idea why his name is being constantly thrown into the mix). No way Lampard, Rooney or Gerrard. They have poor man-management and inter-personal skills. No way: the Argentian Pochettino. He comes across as a bit of an opportunist. Plus, an Argentian manager would be a kick in the teeth. Since 1986 they've been the masters of the dark arts against us.
As a spurs fan to the core, i got to agree with Merse on every single aspect of the entire show. Hit the nail on the head with everything!!!! Kane should not have even gone imo, he's been dropping way to deep for the last 4 years at all levels, so many times England and Spurs where left without a striker because he dropped way too deep.
The FA are going to do what they always do and go cheap and conservative with Potter - I dont mind him as a manager but when Howe is available then you get him. I'd rather Lampard over Potter. Tuchel over both Lamps and Potter
Paul, you can't have kids going onto full size pitches. It was said for years and years that this was a problem and we went long ball, and had no technique.
We have a great squad, there's nothing to worry about We had no left wing the entire tournament - yet we could play Rashford, Gordon, Grealish or Palmer there - all fantastic options Kane needs to play No 10 or not at all It's simple stuff that any half decent manager can fix Only real issue is where to play Bellingham cause he ain't no number 10 Other issue is that Rice is a center back - he hides from the ball when our center halves have it
Merson is such a mercurial pundit. Much like he was as a player for Arsenal. Some of his analysis is so bang on the money and he cuts through the crap. Some of it hopelessley short sighted. The issue with an English manager being in charge of the team is the emotional aspect. It was clearly getting too emotional for Gareth, hence why he quit so quickly post tournament. We need a cool head out there. I really like Pochettino/Postecoglu as picks. I think brand of football is good and they get how football is plahed here. Agree defensively could be issues with them. Mourinho is a shout also but is he the right style for this group of players and Im not sure.
Agree with a lot of what Merson said, talked a lot of sense. For me the blame is absolutely on Southgate and here’s why: He was playing a style of play that doesn’t suit most of the players. The likes of Stones, Rice, Walker, Foden, Saka, Kane and Bellingham to an extent all play for teams who like to press high up the pitch and build up the play from defence…. Yet the tactics seemed to be designed purely for Pickford. Just sit deep and hoof the ball forward and see what the players can figure out something if and when the ball lands at their feet. Embarrassing. He just wanted players do deliver in moments like Bellingham did with his equaliser or Watkins vs Netherlands as opposed to taking the game to the opposition and playing progressive football. Either that or just survive until penalties and hope they’ve prepared more than the others. I’m surprised he didn’t pick Dunk just because he’d be a threat at the set-pieces he loved so much in Russia at the World cup
If England have so many world class players and their players are so good , then why do the top teams only have maybe 2 or 3 English players in the prem ? Cause they’re not as good as you Poms think they are
You are half right but if you have a manager that has very little tactical knowledge and only worries about the opposition then you are in trouble straightaway. You pick a team who play well in a position then put them out of position.
@@marlboroughhighways9648 I agree Southgate had no idea tactically how to approach games and a team that works together and for each other will beat a team of individuals 9 times out of 10 , but the statement put fourth by Merson about England having all these world class players and these other national teams having none is absurd so say the least when realistically there’s lucky to be 5 world class English players in the prem , there’s a lot of very good very talented players , but world class is an elite level not many achieve
@@Geokinkladze NO , read what is says in the top teams , and at times 2-3 players in those tops teams is a stretch , maybe 6 teams have 2-3 world class English players probably not even that good tho , Rice maybe , Chelsea none , Liverpool have Trent , city have Foden and Stones , United have none , spurs have none , so there’s actually 4 world class English players in the prem , WORLD CLASS is an elite group and people forget that
@@leonardbutler it's still the same argument, 2-3 players in the top teams in the best league in the world ain't bad. The prem attracts a lot of the top players from around the world. Obviously that attraction was based on money, just like Serie A did back in the day. When the Italian league was the nuts they mandated a maximum quota on non Italian players because it was allowed back then.
Well hindsight is great but it's still likely we would have lost to Spain without Kane, then everyone would say "what a stupid thing dropping kane!". Also we may not have even got as far as we did, as Kane got a couple of important goals. Then again we may have done even better. So hard to say
We can't keep the ball & don't have the vision & movement of a technically gifted team like Spain. It's as simple as that. I've now seen two finals & 1 semi (Croatia) with exactly the same result, low possession & not enough bravery. It may never happen & that's sad but we will give it a go again. Too much in this tournament a player has had a ball at their feet & the rest of their Eng team mates expect them to take on a man & dribble through the opposition without realising they are not brave enough & need someone to come short & provide an option for a pass. In the final only Saka, Bellingham, Stones, Rice & Palmer tried to move progressively with the ball significantly that I can remember & kicked it long far, far to often.
Ancellotti for me, proven winner as a player and manager and great man manager, Potter, Howe done very well at club level with small clubs but won nothing and would they get the respect from the big players. It needs to be a manager whos been there and done it. Ancellotti ticks all the boxes.
The reason England are not a team but a bits and pieces team is because there is no creative world class midfielder who can dictate the tempo of the game by demanding the ball , hold the ball all and move it around.
Foden is literally that for the best club team in the world. Man City would maul Spain… and Foden was their best player this season winning epl player of the year as a creative midfielder. Its not the lack of player profiles my guy.
Simple, England needs the best man for the job to achieve it's mission.. it can only be Jürgen Kloop. England does not need a second best will do Manager. Pay him what he wants a see the rewards roll Home !! We cannot just manage we need the best manager out there it's that simple. What Kloop has achieved for Liverpool is outstanding, England needs a Manager like Jürgen, I have absolutely huge respect for him he is really a one off and he is the only manager that England needs ... Fingers 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
I hate Merse when it's club footy and he can't help himself from trying to put a curse on Spurs - but that's the best (and funniest) analysis of England I've heard in a very long time. Highly entertaining too.
He'd win you a trophy but you lot would still moan cus the team wouldn't play total football or whatever English fans want, not even sure you all know what you want half the time. If you aren't moaning about results, it's style of play or vice versa.
Love how candid Merson is but Lampard is a horror shout. He’s not done a good job since Derby at Championship level. 2 failed stints at Chelsea and 1 at Everton.
As a Scot I had England Spain and either France in the final…For the life of me, I can’t understand why England didn’t lift the title….the pool of players were incredible…You had the best side of the draws hands down.
exactly this tourney was the best chance of lifting the trophy its not gonna be easy from now on, but i still think lee carsley whos won something with the u21s has a great chance of doing something for the main England job
If Southgate had deferred his decision to leave, the social media clamour for him to go would have been massive. The FA should go for someone with a proven record either with an international side or top club side and not someone whose only experience is failure. In terms of experience and the success he has had, Mourinho would be an ideal pick, if he wanted the job.
Can’t have a foreign manager for the England national team so agree with Merse but you can’t have Lampard mate! Gotta be Howe (the FA may HAVE to pay Newcastle what they want) or Potter (unfortunate at Chelsea with such a massive squad of players).
If English, has to be: Eddie Howe or Carsley. If non-English: Klopp (though doubtful he would ever take, as he wants to relax, so no idea why his name is being constantly thrown into the mix). No way Lampard, Rooney or Gerrard. They have poor man-management and inter-personal skills. No way: the Argentian Pochettino. He comes across as a bit of an opportunist. Plus, an Argentian manager would be a kick in the teeth. Since 1986 they've been the masters of the dark arts against us.
6 games prior the final all the subs made an impact more then the starting eleven and the penny still didn’t drop to change it for the final. while playing Kane who is clearly injured and couldn’t move get Ange in!
Postecoglou for me, he won't get it but that's who we should be going for. Bellingham is out of order if that's what he did trying to get Kane subbed, but Bellingham was good in the final, he was the only one who actually got at their midfield, Merson is spot on about Pickford lofting the ball though, we can't be playing negativity ball like that when we've got good footballers like Kane, Foden, Saka, Bellingham, Rice etc. Look at one of the few times we play it short, Stones goes on a Beckenbauer run 😂
I kinda agree with this. Had we lost (which is likely we would have anyway, or even got knocked out earlier) everyone would say he was crazy to leave out kane. Many Pundits said that you gotta play your captain. People were divided on this one. It's only hindsight that makes it easier.
Interesting, no team with a foreign coach has ever won world cup and most with foreign coaches are the smaller countries who need experience from outside
Oh Paul 😂. I agree with most of your points but do you want a manager who'll sing the national anthem or one that'll win you stuff? That point lacked focus. Also, Lampard for manager ? Can't coach a defence. Media darling tho lmao
Every country selects players from numerous teams, some have players all over the world, and many manage more cohesive play than England. The manager has to take responsibility for this full stop.
Howe? Potter? Klopp? Who would you like to see become England manager now that Southgate's gone? 🤔
Klopp no chance, others are depressing. We're going to go backwards after losing Southgate.
Klopp
Howe
Lampard's the most available, will get instant respect from the players plus the international game is different from club football. I'll take Lampard over Potter all day long.
Klopp
Kane knowing he was unfit and too selfish too step aside for a fully fit striker is unforgivable.
Not for the first time Kane has done this. Champions league final, Spurs v Liverpool.
Well Southgate is paid millions to make the right calls, a player will always be selfish and want to play
No player is going to step aside from playing a final for their country even when they're not 100 percent. It's on the manager to decide to play a player or not.
That's how players are. Look at alan Shearer he went on not scoring for England for 2 years and yet he was starting above everyone else and was playing full 90 minutes. Stop blaming the player blame the manager. They make the decisions
@@BruceLee1.0was that because he was white? I don't ever remember Venables giving Andy cole or Les Ferdinand a chance
Loved the last few minutes of Merson’s analysis. Spain played as a team England were a side full of individuals. And what he said about Academy football is spot on too. My son (no world beater) is a lovely passer of the ball, plays two touch football but he plays for a side with one or two lads who dribble, dribble then lose it. But they are lauded as great talents even though they don’t track back and do little to help the team. This is why I have become disillusioned with it all. Merson, thank you for brilliant analysis.
What minute does he say that? Thanks
This bloke Merson was saying Williams from Spain had no talent at all a few days ago just before he played us.
You gotta be blind to not see Williams talent. I said during the finals that this guy is deadly and we need to keep an eye on him. Then a little while later, he scores.
Alcohol talking. Drugs too.
Williams were 10x better than Bellingham
@@mrelano65out of order
@@dazbingley148Yes, he was.
With Neville and Carragher, Merson is the best pundit out there. Consistently illuminating. Never rolls out the same old platitudes. Not afraid to be controversial, but never controversial for its own sake. Brilliant thinker and explainer of the game
Well said mate ...I've thought that for years glad he's getting the plaudits at last ....he isn't always right by any means but at least he has some actual opinions
Neville???? Did you see what he did in Valencia CF? He is a certified Imbecil@##$
Nah covid remember
@@Bobbynutty good point
@@Bobbynutty What about the c word? What have I missed?
I have watched in for 42 years and little has really changed. Yes, we have got to a couple of finals and and semi, but there is always a team better than us and I never get the feeling we will win it. I think we could play from here to eternity and never see England win a tournament unless there is a paradigm shift.
Im over 50 and i don't think the world cup will ever be won again in my time by England, far too tough.. The Euros maybe...
Me too, perhaps there's too many foreigners in our league and too many playing abroad, I dunno.
Mers is spot on, the last six years was our turn on the cycle, massive vacuum in international football that he had the players to capitalise on and didnt, we really did miss a trick.
I wernt calling you a clown btw I was referring to the team. I know how these messages get misunderstood 😂
Merse said he couldnt see us not winning it 2 weeks ago, now we have no pace, cant pass the ball, Harry is no good, we were world beaters before it started?? Sorry there full of it these so called pundits! Favourites, dont make me laugh!
You no what sad a player like merson wouldn’t make it today or gazza not allowed be off cuff or creative got be good little boy and a robot who 6ft 9 does 100 in 8 seconds
Not Lampard please. We don't want another project. Need a tried and tested successful manager.
we have done that too
EDIT: not saying i think lamps would be a good call either lol, just saying
Lampard would be a good signing
Lol ye i think so too😂😂
But seriously what u tryna say am not god enough☹️☹️
1st time ever av actually thought u know what ....... merson is talking sense
Yeah!! As a Scot I'm all in favour of Lampard bring new England manager bye was crap at Chelsea, Crap at Everton and again again at Chelsea. Bring it on. It will be another disaster for England. No heart, no passion, no chance
At least Kane scored a couple.
Foden played 14 games (including qualifying)
Zero goals
Zero assists
Why isn’t he getting some stick? He also played as a number 10 in the friendly before the tournament against Iceland and did nothing. Absolute media darling.
I thought that too. Grealish set up one goal and was part of the move for another goal in the friendly against Bosnia and then got dumped from the squad altogether 3 days later yet Foden sailed through but had done nothing.
Absolutely love the individualism rant Merse spot on.
So let me get this straight......
England are the only team with world class players, BUT........they can't perform for England, to the same level as they do at their clubs, because at their clubs they're surrounded by world class players?!?!?!
The mental gymnastics are fucking strong in England 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Yes I agree, I think that's why they are over rated because in premiership they have other world class players around them.
For England they don't. Absolutely, I think this is overlooked.
Then again most countries for their clubs aren't surrounded by world class players, but perform really well in tournaments, like Spain or France
It makes sense if you look at the coaching. They're well drilled and coached day in day out for their clubs where everyone knows their roles. For the England national team, they're not coached well. Players play out of position and are setup up too negatively. They're not coached to play possession football high up the pitch. Coaching makes the difference between Spain and England. No mental gymnastics required.
I know nothing about football (armchair watcher and read countless of autobiographies only). However, I just realised why most ex-footballers could not be managers. The game has changed so much since the 80's & 90's. I also recall a lot of the current co-commentaters/ex -footballers), played for England during the dark days (meaning did not qualify or not out of the group stage).
Well put Merse, 100 %,correct. I'm not suggesting Kane was the worst, but Kane was just very very poor.
Kane is the same as Southgate...a good loser. That's why he never wins anything. Cole Palmer was devastated and was badly treated by Southgate. Kane was his usual, "oh well, maybe next time". It is an utter nonsense. Get Tuchel in...10 major trophies under his belt. Make Bellingham captain and look to winning the WC in two years time.
@@treble20Best comment 🏆
This is what ANY other competitor would do.
What happened to Cole Palmer is CRIMINAL.
Gareth clearly lost the trust of players who had to bail out the lack of game plan.
@@nudisco7882 Absolutely! Some people are saying that Southgate should be knighted!! For what? He had arguably the best squad of players in the tournament. It's not as if he was managing Scotland! He just sat there on the bench hoping for miracles to happen....well they didn't. Was Southgate a brilliant manager for England? No. Was he the worst England manager we have ever had? No. He was just Mr Average...and that is how his teams played. Teams take on the DNA of their manager. That is why England need an elite manager with a proven track record of winning things. I doubt Klopp would be interested, but if Tuchel wants the job, as is being reported, then it's a no brainer. If he was English, then it wouldn't even be up for debate.
@@treble20 True about the DNA
Merson was saying on the morning of the final that Kane has to start and cannot be dropped?!
Lampard is 2 steps backwards from Southgate.
Potter is 4 steps back from Southgate.
They are both better than Southgate AND play attacking football
Southgate is bottom of any list trust me
@@billyp2516 Potter is a Championship manager AT BEST. If he gets the job we can kiss goodbye to ANY finals🙄
@@billyp2516
England needs a very savvy manager thats good tactically in all aspects of the game. Lampard is only good at the attacking
side of the game and potter isnt as good as what people think. We don't 100% know for sure that the defensive style southgate
played wasnt the key to England success. In my opinion England are not a top 4 nation in reality, they're a good top 10 to 5
side and we need a manager who's good at getting results against better teams with the better players, Someone like
Thomas Frank. Who in my opinion is southgate on acid, he's excellent on the defensive side of the game, but he can also
get his teams scoring goals against the best as well.
Having closely watched the Copa America and the European Cup, I noticed the strong leadership and tactical acumen of Argentine, Colombian, and Uruguayan managers. These teams prioritize national pride over commercial interests, reflecting their fans' passion rather than corporate influence. Their success is further credited to the dedicated managers instilling a winning mentality in players. In contrast, the English FA prioritizes appearances over results, evident in their struggles to keep up with the game's pace, leading to increased injuries due to excessive added minutes in Premier League matches to support sponsorship deals.
No. Increased time in premier league matches is to counter blatant time wasting which was wrecking the game in the last 20 minutes. Plus they are playing on carpets with 5 subs and the best medical and dietary people around.
I totally agree wityh Merson about the "team" argument. Teams win the tournament. The last 2 Euros were won by teams, even Messi's Argentina played as a Team to win the WC in Qatar.
I love Merses honesty
well its true the odd English player is good but playing with the other top technically better foreign player they are just not that good, its also about balance in the England team, and the other thing he said CAPELLO ffs he had the likes of arguably the best centre back of all time in BERESI and MALDINI in his AC MILAN side yet he could do feck all for the England side
This stuff about individualism is very observant - not heard the mainstream talking in this way.
What lot of nonsense what does the German league have to do with it?? Olmo plays in Germany so does Musiala. its this nonsense everything centered around the PL which is basically because of foreigners giving the impression the overrated players are too good
Best players were on bench
Spot on
Lampard 😂😂😂😂 never
Wouldn't put it past the fa
Lampard is 2 steps backwards from Southgate.
Lampard…fucking seriously?? Outrageous.
Very bland personality wise, doesn’t seem to show any leadership qualities. But the real question is, is he a strategist? Somehow I doubt it.
If English, has to be: Eddie Howe or Carsley.
If non-English: Klopp (though doubtful he would ever take, as he wants to relax, so no idea why his name is being constantly thrown into the mix).
No way Lampard, Rooney or Gerrard. They have poor man-management and inter-personal skills.
No way: the Argentian Pochettino. He comes across as a bit of an opportunist. Plus, an Argentian manager would be a kick in the teeth. Since 1986 they've been the masters of the dark arts against us.
Love you two together. Awesome stuff 👍
im crying at merse's reaction to an Argentinian Manager hahahahah
🤣🤣
Maybe if Poch got the job, he could boo during the national anthem like many English fans do.
Merse brilliant tells it straight. Love the passion for the right manager bit .Merse's football brain is spot on what he is actually saying is- look we have best players so attitude is let the opposition play football and let them score goals, BUT we will do the same the difference is at the end we will score more than you. BUT England didn't do that and let lesser teams PLAY AS A TEAM and in doing so overall FAILED.
My suggestion to the England team is to stop playing usual football! Boring defensive play with dozens of back passes in every 15 minutes, and don’t have a clue of what’s coming at the end? Just watch the first half of your game in the final, everything was okay until half time. Then the team went to the dressing room and had all the advisors who gave them the game plan?
But within 2 minutes time they forgotten about William Jr, gave him all the space in the world! And the damage was done! On the 47th minutes!
Then Palmer gave a lifeline, but again England couldn’t hold on to that! So what’s the point of playing too defensive when you cannot defend a goal for a few minutes! In my opinion England should have played offensive and attacking football instead! Then we would have won!!!!!
England were playing defensive in the first half, man marking and simply trying to stop Spain.
Spot on and pundits on the tv shat it. All we’ve heard for years is scholes gerrard lampard. One should have been dropped for the benefit of the team yet; neville,right,shearer, richards, linakear all slebbered about playing bellingham fodden, they both need to play”
You end up with a team with no balance and no width. Bottled it
A brave manager drops Kane (not fit), brings a fit lb, doesn’t do experiments and starts Gordon on the left
Bloody good discussion, searingly honest and direct but understanding and sympathetic. Thanks for sharing your insights
Love this with Paul Merson . He was getting to the problem on a lot of reasons why England failed to lift the Euro trophy , Team play and using your players in their best position in the Team . Im a I.T.F.C. Town Supporter ,.......Look at the club now , K. McKenna has brought together a side with new signings to take on the Premier clubs . Doing just that! using great players to their full potential .in a Team playing attacking Football . K. M . A Great England manager in a few years ,,...
Its not the players....look how all, yes all, the other teams were coached. Hidden in plain sight was the absence of tactics with England.
You send home the best English left sided player and then wonder why the left side is a clown show.
Please don't tell me you're talking about Maddison
@@jackfoster501 I said the best English left sided player. 🤣
Merson, Carragher and Barnes have the best views on it but all different. Carragher blames players,Barnes blames not bringing the players that he has used and instead went on form but that they were not international players,and Merson blames a bit of both
I found Barnes's comments original and interesting. That Southgate changed his style and didn't go with the players that fit his system but rather went with the in-form players that the public were clamoring for and it cost him. Ironically playing Rashford and Sterling probably would have improved the performance of Kane.
Very very short memories regarding Harry Kane… the exact conversation around this player existed in the last Euros….
Some make it up as you go along stuff, but also some pertinent points from Merse. If we qualify for WC26, how we gonna cope in the heat?! No manager can get us playing right.
Merse was saying walker would have Williams in his pocket all day haha
Exactly. He said Williams had no talent at before he played us.
@@wtc-d5s it was very strange he said it with so much confidence
I could listen to very few ex pros but, Mersin, Keane and Le Tissier all night no problem. No bullshit. They know football and they don’t have any agenda, unlike quite a few other high profile pundits who just boil your piss
Such as Gary Neville?😂😂😂
@@humptydumpty20 in one mate 👍🏼
Merse ... how many times has Germany won the world cup ? you can't blame Kane's piss poor contribution on the Bundesliga .
Sorry, but Merson was saying on the morning of the final that Kane has to start and cannot be dropped?!
The best football reporting, beats all podcasts, thanks for the strait talking ❤
1st time listening to this podcast. Absolutely love you Jeff and Merson (even though I’m spurs) soccer Saturday isn’t the same without you Mr Stelling. Lots of love to you both 😘
It's the players who step on that pitch who are to blame. They have been given the opportunity to win something twice now & failed to grasp that moment of immortality that awaited them.
We got lucky to have fortunate runs to get to where Gareth has taken us but just because we have players who individually thrive at club level does not mean we have some divine right to be beating anyone, we HAVE to prove it. Over the last 8 years they just have not been collectively good enough. We cannot hold possession of the ball & pass under pressure when it comes down to other teams, the best we can hope for is to attack & go to score goals.
When we get knocked out in the Quarter Finals in the World Cup of 2026, it will be a brave defeat but if we don't get hold of the ball we won't win a thing
So we've already qualified for the 2026 world cup. But the qualifying rounds haven't started yet. 😅😂
It was hilarious watching the trusted long ball England tactics, Spain must have been delighted. Great views from Merse
"Everybody wants to beat England. England is the team to beat." Don't flatter yourselves. Most good teams beat England most of the time.
I think that the teams to beat in international football are Brazil, Argentina, France and Spain currently.
In the same way England fans get attacked now everywhere they go even though the majority of fans these days are middle aged, middle class people and kids is the same reason why teams want to beat England.
It's England. It's the heartbeat of the Colonial Britain. It's the supposed inventor of the game. It's the cocksure team that can be beatable.
International teams fear Spain, Germany, Italy and so on.
They want to beat England and they see them as beatable. That does motivate teams.
Yes Mr Merson you are 100% correct England never played like a team just 11 individuals with negativity thought The only time we showed passion was when we went behind where scared of losing
Great podcast lads, very honest views and alot of common sense talked there except for lampard being England manager.
Paul Merson and Jeff stelling truly excellent love the honesty of Paul merson really enjoyed listening to how he viewed England and was spot on
Spain and Argentina have shown the English F.A exactly what to do, promote from within your own: U16, U18 and U21 structure. That's where Spain and Argentina found their current managers and where the F.A found Southgate.
100% Agree with Merse about playing as Team !!!
I’m a Spurs fan but I have to say Merse is spot on - I’ve listened to all the other pundit opinions but none come close to Merse! Kudos! Ps Lamps good shout!
LAMPARD?!!! WHY ! He has won nothing as a manager. It is time we looked beyond the South East for our managers. Give it Lee Carsley.
If English, has to be: Eddie Howe or Carsley.
If non-English: Klopp (though doubtful he would ever take, as he wants to relax, so no idea why his name is being constantly thrown into the mix).
No way Lampard, Rooney or Gerrard. They have poor man-management and inter-personal skills.
No way: the Argentian Pochettino. He comes across as a bit of an opportunist. Plus, an Argentian manager would be a kick in the teeth. Since 1986 they've been the masters of the dark arts against us.
Can we bring back Hoddle w/the freedom to have the team play with attacking flair?
As a spurs fan to the core, i got to agree with Merse on every single aspect of the entire show.
Hit the nail on the head with everything!!!!
Kane should not have even gone imo, he's been dropping way to deep for the last 4 years at all levels, so many times England and Spurs where left without a striker because he dropped way too deep.
The FA are going to do what they always do and go cheap and conservative with Potter - I dont mind him as a manager but when Howe is available then you get him. I'd rather Lampard over Potter. Tuchel over both Lamps and Potter
Paul, you can't have kids going onto full size pitches. It was said for years and years that this was a problem and we went long ball, and had no technique.
Merson always provides some unique insight like what actually motivates the FA. The lack of alignment between the FA and fans is a huge problem.
merse hit a lot of nails on head here, couldn't agree more
We have a great squad, there's nothing to worry about
We had no left wing the entire tournament - yet we could play Rashford, Gordon, Grealish or Palmer there - all fantastic options
Kane needs to play No 10 or not at all
It's simple stuff that any half decent manager can fix
Only real issue is where to play Bellingham cause he ain't no number 10
Other issue is that Rice is a center back - he hides from the ball when our center halves have it
He will be the new U.S football / soccer coach 🎉
Merson is such a mercurial pundit. Much like he was as a player for Arsenal. Some of his analysis is so bang on the money and he cuts through the crap. Some of it hopelessley short sighted. The issue with an English manager being in charge of the team is the emotional aspect. It was clearly getting too emotional for Gareth, hence why he quit so quickly post tournament. We need a cool head out there. I really like Pochettino/Postecoglu as picks. I think brand of football is good and they get how football is plahed here. Agree defensively could be issues with them. Mourinho is a shout also but is he the right style for this group of players and Im not sure.
Agree with a lot of what Merson said, talked a lot of sense. For me the blame is absolutely on Southgate and here’s why:
He was playing a style of play that doesn’t suit most of the players. The likes of Stones, Rice, Walker, Foden, Saka, Kane and Bellingham to an extent all play for teams who like to press high up the pitch and build up the play from defence…. Yet the tactics seemed to be designed purely for Pickford. Just sit deep and hoof the ball forward and see what the players can figure out something if and when the ball lands at their feet. Embarrassing.
He just wanted players do deliver in moments like Bellingham did with his equaliser or Watkins vs Netherlands as opposed to taking the game to the opposition and playing progressive football. Either that or just survive until penalties and hope they’ve prepared more than the others. I’m surprised he didn’t pick Dunk just because he’d be a threat at the set-pieces he loved so much in Russia at the World cup
Brilliantly said and explained Mers' !
If England have so many world class players and their players are so good , then why do the top teams only have maybe 2 or 3 English players in the prem ? Cause they’re not as good as you Poms think they are
You are half right but if you have a manager that has very little tactical knowledge and only worries about the opposition then you are in trouble straightaway. You pick a team who play well in a position then put them out of position.
@@marlboroughhighways9648 I agree Southgate had no idea tactically how to approach games and a team that works together and for each other will beat a team of individuals 9 times out of 10 , but the statement put fourth by Merson about England having all these world class players and these other national teams having none is absurd so say the least when realistically there’s lucky to be 5 world class English players in the prem , there’s a lot of very good very talented players , but world class is an elite level not many achieve
2 or 3 English players in every team in the best league in the world isn't bad.
@@Geokinkladze NO , read what is says in the top teams , and at times 2-3 players in those tops teams is a stretch , maybe 6 teams have 2-3 world class English players probably not even that good tho , Rice maybe , Chelsea none , Liverpool have Trent , city have Foden and Stones , United have none , spurs have none , so there’s actually 4 world class English players in the prem , WORLD CLASS is an elite group and people forget that
@@leonardbutler it's still the same argument, 2-3 players in the top teams in the best league in the world ain't bad.
The prem attracts a lot of the top players from around the world. Obviously that attraction was based on money, just like Serie A did back in the day. When the Italian league was the nuts they mandated a maximum quota on non Italian players because it was allowed back then.
Well hindsight is great but it's still likely we would have lost to Spain without Kane, then everyone would say "what a stupid thing dropping kane!".
Also we may not have even got as far as we did, as Kane got a couple of important goals.
Then again we may have done even better. So hard to say
merson never use to be so outspoken
We can't keep the ball & don't have the vision & movement of a technically gifted team like Spain. It's as simple as that.
I've now seen two finals & 1 semi (Croatia) with exactly the same result, low possession & not enough bravery. It may never happen & that's sad but we will give it a go again.
Too much in this tournament a player has had a ball at their feet & the rest of their Eng team mates expect them to take on a man & dribble through the opposition without realising they are not brave enough & need someone to come short & provide an option for a pass.
In the final only Saka, Bellingham, Stones, Rice & Palmer tried to move progressively with the ball significantly that I can remember & kicked it long far, far to often.
Ancellotti for me, proven winner as a player and manager and great man manager, Potter, Howe done very well at club level with small clubs but won nothing and would they get the respect from the big players. It needs to be a manager whos been there and done it. Ancellotti ticks all the boxes.
Thanks merse for telling it the way it is. He talks so much sense.
The reason England are not a team but a bits and pieces team is because there is no creative world class midfielder who can dictate the tempo of the game by demanding the ball , hold the ball all and move it around.
Foden is literally that for the best club team in the world. Man City would maul Spain… and Foden was their best player this season winning epl player of the year as a creative midfielder. Its not the lack of player profiles my guy.
Very good players in some positions. The squad has weaknesses, though, such as left back and central midfield number 6 role.
Mers, love your comments! What about you and Lampard in the England dressing room?
Simple, England needs the best man for the job to achieve it's mission.. it can only be Jürgen Kloop.
England does not need a second best will do Manager.
Pay him what he wants a see the rewards roll Home !!
We cannot just manage we need the best manager out there it's that simple.
What Kloop has achieved for Liverpool is outstanding, England needs a Manager like Jürgen, I have absolutely huge respect for him he is really a one off and he is the only manager that England needs ...
Fingers 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
Wahre Worte - true Words
I hate Merse when it's club footy and he can't help himself from trying to put a curse on Spurs - but that's the best (and funniest) analysis of England I've heard in a very long time. Highly entertaining too.
Project Mourinho or dont bother. Pay him 20mil to win the next world cup. Hed love it. Hes practically English anyway.
He'd win you a trophy but you lot would still moan cus the team wouldn't play total football or whatever English fans want, not even sure you all know what you want half the time. If you aren't moaning about results, it's style of play or vice versa.
Only person that has the character and balls to make the big decisions. You are right too, he would love it .
@@dohnjoe4516or there usually moaning about the captain. Or moan about Roy Keane telling the truth that there useless.
As ever the Merse speaks the most sense on football matters. Great show. I would like to see Jose or Pep take control.
Pep??? Dream on
Love Merse´s passion, what a jokes guy. Has a lot of knowledge.
The only dead honest pundit ...love merse ...a great player by the way ....100% right on everything he said
“Why’s the lady leaving?”’great insight in to Newcastle United merse
Great channel this, love Stelling and Merse
Merson never lets us down We found the one person in England (and beyond) who was surprised Safegate left
Love how candid Merson is but Lampard is a horror shout. He’s not done a good job since Derby at Championship level. 2 failed stints at Chelsea and 1 at Everton.
Didn't like how Merson spoke about Nico Williams before the final... I was so happy when he scored to make it 1-0 to Spain
As a Scot I had England Spain and either France in the final…For the life of me, I can’t understand why England didn’t lift the title….the pool of players were incredible…You had the best side of the draws hands down.
exactly this tourney was the best chance of lifting the trophy its not gonna be easy from now on, but i still think lee carsley whos won something with the u21s has a great chance of doing something for the main England job
If Southgate had deferred his decision to leave, the social media clamour for him to go would have been massive. The FA should go for someone with a proven record either with an international side or top club side and not someone whose only experience is failure. In terms of experience and the success he has had, Mourinho would be an ideal pick, if he wanted the job.
Kante is world class then
England needs to learn to play like they did when they played with their mates in the park.
Can’t have a foreign manager for the England national team so agree with Merse but you can’t have Lampard mate! Gotta be Howe (the FA may HAVE to pay Newcastle what they want) or Potter (unfortunate at Chelsea with such a massive squad of players).
Merson though.... Absolute legend talking a lot of sense!!!
How does Lampard even get a mention.for the job.clubs aren't exactly lining up for him yet talked about to be England manager.Laughable.Very
If English, has to be: Eddie Howe or Carsley.
If non-English: Klopp (though doubtful he would ever take, as he wants to relax, so no idea why his name is being constantly thrown into the mix).
No way Lampard, Rooney or Gerrard. They have poor man-management and inter-personal skills.
No way: the Argentian Pochettino. He comes across as a bit of an opportunist. Plus, an Argentian manager would be a kick in the teeth. Since 1986 they've been the masters of the dark arts against us.
6 games prior the final all the subs made an impact more then the starting eleven and the penny still didn’t drop to change it for the final. while playing Kane who is clearly injured and couldn’t move get Ange in!
Postecoglou for me, he won't get it but that's who we should be going for. Bellingham is out of order if that's what he did trying to get Kane subbed, but Bellingham was good in the final, he was the only one who actually got at their midfield, Merson is spot on about Pickford lofting the ball though, we can't be playing negativity ball like that when we've got good footballers like Kane, Foden, Saka, Bellingham, Rice etc. Look at one of the few times we play it short, Stones goes on a Beckenbauer run 😂
With kane if we had lost if he wasn't playing . Everyone would have said why wasnt kane playing guaranteed. The job is a poison chalice.
Uhhh what??? Kane was unfit.
Watkins and Toney were not.
It's not rocket science pal.
I kinda agree with this. Had we lost (which is likely we would have anyway, or even got knocked out earlier) everyone would say he was crazy to leave out kane.
Many Pundits said that you gotta play your captain.
People were divided on this one. It's only hindsight that makes it easier.
Although you talk sense. What I would really like to hear from is Southgate’s assistants!! That could be compelling watching!
Listen to the last ten mins. This is ehy we love Merson. He's so passionate
As a Scotsman I’m fully behind England appointing lampard.
Ditto
Interesting, no team with a foreign coach has ever won world cup and most with foreign coaches are the smaller countries who need experience from outside
Merse obviously didn’t see Everton V Palace earlier this year. Pickford spent the whole game lumping balls at Calvert-Lewin in a terrible 0-0 draw.
enjoyed this a lot, cheers guys
I’ve just found Jeff after all this time from soccer Saturday! I’ve missed his voice so much! 😭😂
Lampard in, don,t be ridiculous
Oh Paul 😂. I agree with most of your points but do you want a manager who'll sing the national anthem or one that'll win you stuff? That point lacked focus. Also, Lampard for manager ? Can't coach a defence. Media darling tho lmao
Every country selects players from numerous teams, some have players all over the world, and many manage more cohesive play than England. The manager has to take responsibility for this full stop.