Joey Barton has launched a scathing attack on Gareth Southgate after England's World Cup exit - with the Bristol Rovers chief insisting that he "can't believe" that the Three Lions boss hasn't resigned yet.
England were dumped out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage by defending champions France, who ran out 2-1 winners. Olivier Giroud headed home a late winner for Les Blues, but Harry Kane spurned a golden chance to equalise from the penalty spot by blazing over England's second penalty of the game in the 84th minute.
There had been speculation that Southgate, who has been at the helm for six years, would not continue in his post after the tournament after he was booed by England fans back in the summer.
Southgate sidestepped questions over his future in the immediate aftermath of England's heartbreaking defeat and hinted he would take his time over deciding his long-term future - but Barton has suggested that the Three Lions boss shouldn't be afforded that luxury after falling short in another major tournament.
In a tweet which mocked Southgate for going through with the infamous Pizza Hut advert following his penalty miss back at Euro 96, Barton said: "Can’t believe Southgate hasn’t resigned yet. That’s two World Cups and a home European Championship we could/should have won. Stop rewarding failure. Got to go. Time to hire somebody who can win. Pizza Hut advert years ago. Enough said."
Despite Barton's highly critical stance, the FA have made it clear that they would like Southgate to stay on and see out the remaining two years of his contract.
Southgate has a commendable record since succeeding Sam Allardyce six-and-a-half years ago and had already guided England to a World Cup semi-final and the final of last summer's delayed European championships before jetting off to Qatar last month.
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But Barton, who currently manages in League One, doubled down on his stance in another tweet after a fan shared an image of England's recent results.
Barton retorted: "Exactly Harry. 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."
Southgate himself has admitted that being heckled by England fans earlier this year following a crushing Nations League defeat against Hungary had taken its toll and that he was conscious that all parties needed to come to the "right decision".
“I don't want to be four or five months down the line thinking I've made the wrong call. It's too important for everybody to get that wrong," Southgate admitted on Sunday night.
“After every tournament, I’ve sat with everybody at the FA and talked things through logically and I think that's the right process to go through again.”
