Reports have surfaced of a tense moment between England midfielder Jude Bellingham and manager Gareth Southgate during the Euro 2024 final, where England suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spain in Berlin. According to ESPN’s Mark Ogden, Bellingham “lost it” with Southgate in the closing stages of the match, urging the manager to make tactical changes.
The incident reportedly occurred just before Harry Kane was substituted off with 30 minutes remaining. Bellingham, visibly frustrated, confronted Southgate on the sidelines, seemingly imploring him to “change something, do something.” This outburst came as England struggled to match Spain’s dominance in midfield during the second half.
Bellingham, who had an outstanding season with Real Madrid prior to the tournament, found himself struggling with fatigue as the final progressed. The 21-year-old’s frustration appeared to stem from Kane’s ineffectiveness against Spain’s robust defense, with England’s play noticeably improving after Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer were introduced.
Despite this heated exchange, Bellingham demonstrated leadership after the final whistle, consoling his emotional teammates as they received their runners-up medals. The young star’s actions highlight the intense emotions and high stakes of the tournament final.
This incident has added to the speculation surrounding Southgate’s future as England manager. Having led the team since 2016 and reached two European Championship finals, Southgate now faces pressure to step down after another near-miss in a major tournament. The English FA had previously indicated their desire for Southgate to continue through the 2026 World Cup, but alternative options may now be explored.
As England regroups from this defeat, attention turns to the team’s future and potential changes in leadership. Bellingham’s frustration during the final underscores the passionate desire for success within the squad and the ongoing challenges faced by England in their quest for major tournament glory.
Daily MailOnline
