Gareth Southgate admits Harry Kane had a ‘tough’ Euro 2024

• Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th minute winner broke English hearts in the Euro 2024 final
• England’s captain Kane was hooked off just 60 minutes into the 2-1 defeat
• Southgate’s future as manager is uncertain although the FA want to keep him

Gareth Southgate expressed his devastation as England’s 58 year wait for a trophy was extended after a heartbreaking loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Mikel Oyarzabal scored a late winner after Cole Palmer equalised for England following Nico Williams’ opener in game that saw Harry Kane substituted for the fifth time in seven games with Southgate admitting his captain had endured a below par tournament.

‘I am devastated for everyone, the players have been incredible, I am so proud,’ said Southgate.

‘I am proud of the way they have fought, represented the shirt with pride, never beaten until five minutes of the last game.

‘We didn’t quite keep the ball well enough, they had more control and that made the difference.

‘I think they [Spain] were the best team in the tournament. Against Spain you have to keep the ball when you win it back. We were fine defensively in the first half but that takes it out your legs.

‘There’s no hiding from we have had a lot of issues. We have managed to deal with most of them but we have fallen short.

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‘The players have got to take enormous credit for getting us as close as they did.

‘The team have done the country proud, reached first final away from England and a second successive Euros final. But in the end none of that matters.’

Southgate was particularly interesting on Kane’s performances here in Germany. The Bayern Munich striker finished as joint top scorer of the tournament with three goals – but his performances have been criticised amid concerns over his general fitness following a lower back injury towards the end of last season.

‘Physically it has been tough for him,’ admitted Southgate.

‘He came into the tournament short on games and has not quite reached the level we all would have hoped.

‘The games are hugely demanding and we thought Ollie’s [Watkins] freshness would allow us to press better and offer a press in behind. I thought the substitutes came on and did what we asked them to do.

‘To lose a final is incredibly tough. They couldn’t have given anymore to me or the country.

‘But ultimately the physical toll was an issue for us, but that is exacerbated when you don’t have enough of the ball early on.

‘That’s why our legs started to go and we made mistakes.’

Southgate’s future is hugely uncertain although the Football Association want the 53-year-old to stay on until World Cup 2026.

‘I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision, I have to talk to the right people,’ said Southgate.

‘It is not for now. It’s hard to reflect so soon after a defeat like this. To take England to two finals has never been done but we came here to win and we haven’t been able to do that.

‘England are in a really good position in terms of the experiences they have now and the age of the squad. This squad will be around for the next World Cup. There is a lot to look forward to but that is no consolation.’

Former England defender turned TV pundit Rio Ferdinand says he believes Southgate has failed to make the most of his 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,’ said the former Manchester United star.

‘I think the manager has to take some stick for that. The FA have got a big decision to make.’

England’s tournament has included three stirring comebacks in the knockout stages.

Palmer’s leveller threatened a fourth consecutive successful fight back, but when asked if it was one comeback too far, Southgate added: ‘It is easy to say that and there is definitely a disadvantage to having a day less (than Spain) to prepare.

‘But we were still in it come 80 minutes. It is going to take a while to pick the bones out of it really.’