Former England captain Alan Shearer feels the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain will probably be Gareth Southgate’s last match as manager.
Nico Williams had broken the deadlock early in the second half, but substitute Cole Palmer struck an equaliser to give England hope.
However, Mikel Oyarzabal then hit a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory for Spain in Berlin.
Speculation will now turn to the future of Southgate, who took England to the final of Euro 2020 three years ago but suffered a similar fate against Italy.
The 53-year-old is out of contract with England at the end of the year, and despite insisting he will take time to consider his position, Shearer believes Southgate’s time is up.
“I suspect he might say ‘over to someone else’. I suspect it will be Southgate’s last game,” said former Blackburn and Newcastle striker Shearer, who was part of the England squad with Southgate which reached the semi-finals at Euro 96.
“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.
Shearer said on BBC One: “The reality is he got us to a final three years ago (at Euro 2020) 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.”
Former England striker Gary Lineker – who reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup – also believes the demands of what is often labelled ‘the impossible job’ will have taken their toll on Southgate.
“I suspect Gareth Southgate may have had enough,” Lineker said on BBC One. “It is a tough, gruelling job.”
Rio Ferdinand – part of England’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’ which also came up short at the World Cup and European Championships – felt Southgate should have got more out of the current squad.
“You have to look at what talent pool we have and I don’t feel like we are putting them in the best position possible,” the former Leeds and Manchester United centre-half said.
“I think the manger has to take some stick for that. The FA have got a big decision to make.”
Ferdinand added: “When the game was in the balance, we were always a team held back on a leash. That is the disappointing thing with the quality players we have in this squad.”
Former England defender Matt Upson felt Southgate’s side lacked an identity.
“It has not been an easy follow with England,” Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It has been difficult as there has not been the clear style or plan.
“Gareth has made a lot of good calls, but when you compare it to the team in red (Spain) and how they go about attacking this tournament and taking it apart – it is night and day.”