PAUL IN
Gareth Southgate is a genius and he’d be a fool to not lead England at 2026 World Cup after Euro 2024 run says Paul Ince
Gareth Southgate's England contract runs out in December
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GARETH SOUTHGATE would be a "fool" to leave England if he wins Euro 2024, claims Manchester United legend Paul Ince.
The Three Lions are set to face Spain in the final of the European championship on Sunday at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
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Southgate's contract runs out in December and much has been discussed about his future after a hapless start to the competition despite the fact he made his second successive Euros final.
Ince, 56, though, insists his former England team-mate needs to remain at the helm for the 2026 World Cup after his stunning work with the national team.
Southgate, 53, has completely changed the culture of the team and his impact has also led to a fourth-place finish in the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
The United great insists the England boss is a "right genius" that deserves to win the country's first ever piece of silverware since the 1966 World Cup.
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Ince exclusively told Ladbrokes 1-2-Free: "In management, when you make substitutions, you're either going to look like a fool, or you're going to look like a genius.
"If you bring certain players on, you're going to get people asking questions. 'Bring on [Ivan] Toney, bring on [Anthony] Gordon'. But, listen, it worked, and Gareth looks like a right genius.
"The world of social media nowadays means it's almost impossible to get away from the criticism. But I don't think it'll bother Southy, I really don't.
"We're here now, and we're in the final and he'll probably still get criticised even if we go on and win it! That's the nature of the beast.
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"Yes, we've had a bit of luck, but we're definitely due it. You think back to 1996. We could've easily won that tournament. Then you've got 1993, when Ronald Koeman should've been sent off. There are so many occasions where things haven't gone our way.
"Of course I'd love to see Gareth win it; he's changed England in so many ways.
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"Culturally, you know, I remember when I was playing for England and some players just didn't want to play for their country, because they had a big club game coming up.
"Maybe he'll want to step down and take a break, but if they win it on Sunday, I think he'd be a fool not to take this squad to America in a couple of years from now. "
England vs Spain record
England have played Spain 27 times in total - here is a look at every result...
- May 1929, Spain 4-3 England - International Friendly (L)
- December 1931, England 7-1 Spain - International Friendly (W)
- July 1950, Spain 1-0 England - World Cup (L)
- May 1955, Spain 1-1 England - International Friendly (D)
- November 1955, England 4-1 Spain - International Friendly (W)
- May 1960, Spain 3-0 England - International Friendly (L)
- October 1960, England 4-2 Spain - International Friendly (W)
- December 1965, Spain 0-2 England - International Friendly (W)
- May 1967, England 2-0 Spain - International Friendly (W)
- April 1968, England 1-0 Spain - European Championship (W)
- May 1968, Spain 1-2 England - European Championship (W)
- March 1980, Spain 0-2 England - International Friendly (W)
- June 1980, England 2-1 Spain - European Championship (W)
- March 1981, England 1-2 Spain - International Friendly (L)
- July 1982, Spain 0-0 England - World Cup (D)
- February 1987, Spain 2-4 England - International Friendly (W)
- September 1992, Spain 1-0 England - International Friendly (L)
- June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain - European Championship (W)
- February 2001, England 3-0 Spain - International Friendly (W)
- November 2004, Spain 1-0 England - International Friendly (L)
- February 2007, England 0-1 Spain - International Friendly (L)
- February 2009, Spain 2-0 England - International Friendly (L)
- November 2011, England 1-0 Spain - International Friendly (W)
- November 2015, Spain 2-0 England - International Friendly (L)
- November 2016, England 2-2 Spain - International Friendly (D)
- September 2018, England 1-2 Spain - Nations League (L)
- October 2018, Spain 2-3 England - Nations League (W)
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
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