James ready to back Southgate and England at 2026 World Cup

Former England international David James says he is ready to back Gareth Southgate should he decide to stay on as manager.

The Three Lions lost in the final of Euro 2024, with Spain dealing the final blow a few minutes from time in Berlin.

It marked another ‘close but not close enough’ moment for the head coach, who led his side to the Euro 2020 final as well as the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

But England have never been able to get over the line and his tactical prowess is being questioned once again.

James says Southgate has brought unity to the camp while achieving something no manager has been able to do.

Speaking exclusively to 101GreatGoals on behalf of  Best Online Poker Sites, he said: “I think he’s handled the tournament impeccably.

Gareth Southgate reflects on Sunday’s #EURO2024 final…

— England (@England) July 15, 2024

“What I’ve liked about Gareth throughout this, if you look at the starting line-up, the only player from one to 11 that didn’t start was Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“Basically the one to 11, the perfect starting lineup was what Gareth was going with. He stuck to his guns in that sense. And in what might be perceived as a lot of pressure, he got us to the final.

“Arguably because of Rodri coming off, the game plan was slightly skewed and that was effectively the turning point.

“I think he’s been brilliant. And if, if he decides to carry on, then I would be backing him 100%.

“I was part of this, it might have been 20-odd years ago, but, England were failing to qualify for the Euros. England were getting into Euros in the 2000s and not getting out of the group stage.

“So, in a relatively short period of time, Gareth has created an environment and a group of players which get to semi-finals and finals of major tournaments and that is something which no other manager has been able to do.

“Yes, you can look at the independent individual finals and say this could have happened, that could have happened, but to actually be there in the shout with only one other team involved, it’s tremendous.

“If Gareth was at the helm for the World Cup finals, then perhaps that one chance goes our way rather than the opposition could be the difference between us going off as runners-up compared to winners.”

Safe hands

Southgate has leaned on both experience and youth at Euro 2024.

The likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Jude Bellingham have starred for their countries but the old guard including Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford have also been relied on.

Jordan Pickford appreciation post. Once again, another phenomenal showing for his country. What a ‘keeper 👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/IHkeYCphWZ

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) July 14, 2024

Pickford enjoyed another successful tournament in goal, saving a crucial penalty in the quarter-final shootout win against Switzerland.

He also made a few big saves in the final against Spain despite it not being enough to get his side over the line.

Regardless of the outcome overall, the Everton goalkeeper has earned the highest praise from James, who tallied 53 caps for England.

He said: “You could use different statistics to argue the point one way or another. I think he has been excellent.

“I was with David Seaman last night and I’m sort of thinking, should I be saying Dave Seaman was up there? But the reality is this is a goalkeeper who’s played in two finals, no other English goalkeeper has done that.

“He’s played in semi-finals. He’s had big influences on England getting to those positions, including penalty saves.

“The one thing that I would like for Jordan just as an England supporter is to have more competition. I think he’s gone into this tournament with two understudies who for one reason or another haven’t played a whole season and therefore he was never in question.

“Not that I would suggest that he needed dropping, but I think if you’ve got that competition throughout the qualification and stuff, then it kind of changes the way that you have to play. But he’s been superb, absolutely superb.”