Joey Barton has urged the FA to pull the trigger on England manager Gareth Southgate. Pressure is growing on the Three Lions chief after the 2-1 defeat to France at the World Cup.
Despite outplaying the reigning champions for large parts of the game, England again came up short and endured quarter-final elimination. Heartbreak for supporters was heightened by Harry Kane blowing the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot late on.
Debates have now emerged about whether Southgate should lead the team into the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. After reaching the Euro 2020 final at Wembley 18 months ago - England’s first at a major tournament since 1966 - the FA handed him a contract extension.
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However, an underwhelming Nations League campaign earlier this year saw some supporters call for his head. That talk has only intensified following Saturday’s World Cup exit.
Not one to shirk his opinion, former Newcastle United midfielder Barton has demanded Southgate to either resign - or walk the plank. Posting on his Twitter account, the Bristol Rovers boss also mentioned the infamous Pizza Hut advert Southgate starred in after missing a penalty against Germany at Euro 96.
“(I) can’t believe Southgate hasn’t resigned yet,” Barton tweeted. “That’s two World Cups and a home European Championship we could/should have won. Stop rewarding failure. (He has) got to go. Time to hire somebody who can win. Pizza Hut advert years ago. Enough said.
“Time for him to move on. You have to win. He’s a nice guy but he isn’t a winner. When he put Pizza Box on his head after missing the pen, he was done with. No self-respecting man would ever do that. Sorry. He’s had his time. Move him on.”
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