Euro 2024: Harry Kane delivers strong Gareth Southgate England verdict

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 24 June 2024

England captain Harry Kane affirms that Gareth Southgate is "absolutely" the right man to lead the Three Lions forward despite heightened criticism at Euro 2024.

England captain Harry Kane has insisted that Gareth Southgate is "absolutely" the right manager to lead the Three Lions forward amid heightened criticism of his tactics at Euro 2024.

The Euro 2020 runners-up are as good as through to the knockout stages heading into Tuesday's closing match with Slovenia in Group C, sitting top of the group with four points to their name.

England will be confirmed as group winners should they sink the Slovenians or simply match or better Denmark's result against Serbia, who cannot overtake Southgate's side no matter what.

As a result, the Three Lions will finish third at the very worst and should earn one of the four additional knockout spots on offer for teams in the bronze medal positions thanks to their high points total.

However, having laboured to a 1-0 win over Serbia before a dampening 1-1 draw with Denmark - where their performance left a lot to be desired - fans have begun to turn on Southgate once more.

England's Harry Kane pictured on June 24, 2024 © Reuters

Kane: 'Southgate's record speaks for itself'

In both matches against Serbia and Denmark, England sat back after taking the lead and were punished for doing so against the latter, leading to Kane admitting that he and his teammates were not sure of how to press the opposition.

In terms of individual playing personnel, the 53-year-old has received particular backlash for his Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment - which has not paid off - as well as deploying Phil Foden out on the left when he has been more threatening in central areas.

Southgate's decision to call up an injured Luke Shaw has also backfired so far - the Manchester United left-back has been sidelined since February due to a muscle injury and is still training individually, meaning he is expected to miss Tuesday's contest.

Southgate's contract with the FA only runs until the end of the year, and he has already hinted that he may not continue as national team head coach if the Three Lions under-perform at the Euros.

However, the governing body apparently want Southgate - who was considered for the Manchester United job before the Red Devils decided to stick with Erik ten Hag - to stay on until the 2026 World Cup, a sentiment echoed by Kane.

"I can't speak highly enough of Gareth and what he has done for this team and the nation. In terms of where we were and where we are now as a national team is completely different," the 30-year-old told a press conference on Sunday.

England head coach Gareth Southgate on June 16, 2024 © Reuters

"He's brilliant on the details of making sure there is no stone unturned, everyone knows what they are going to be doing going into games. Just as a person giving us the freedom going into games to be ourselves, whether that is off the pitch or on the pitch.

"Being England manager is a really difficult job, he knows that and we know that. But he's absolutely the right man for the job. There are always going to be people who criticise or doubt him but his record speaks for itself - it's really successful with us.

"But like all of us he's determined to take that next step and win it and that's what we're all really determined to do. He'll do what's best for the nation and make the decision that is best for the team. All I will say is get behind him and support him as the players do."

Who could England face in Euro 2024 last 16?

Should England confirm their status as group winners on Tuesday, they will face one of the best third-placed teams in the knockout stages, currently Austria of Group D as of Monday morning's rankings.

The Three Lions could alternatively meet the third-placed side from Group E - potentially Belgium - or Group F, but they would be forced to pit their wits against Germany if they finish as runners-up.

If the worst should happen and Southgate's team drop to third, they will either take on Portugal - the winner of Group F - or the team to triumph in Group E, which could be any one of Slovakia, Belgium, Ukraine or Romania, who are on three points each.