GRAHAM POTTER is the firm favourite at the bookies to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager.
It was Mikel Oyarzabal that broke the hearts of the Three Lions and secured a 2-1 Spanish victory in the final of Euro 2024.
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Fans quickly spotted a tactical change from Southgate just minutes into the game before they were fuming about Dani Carvajal’s trolling of Bukayo Saka.
Supporters were left raging even more when they felt that Spain star Dani Olmo should have been sent off for a ‘GBH attack’ on Declan Rice.
England got a huge boost at the break as Spanish talisman Rodri was forced off – but they trailed courtesy of Nico Williams within moments of the second half beginning.
That led to Southgate turning to supersubs Ollie Watkins and Palmer again – and they combined once more after their exploits against Netherlands in the semi.
This time it was Watkins, who replaced the ineffective Harry Kane, that set up Palmer to curl it home from the edge of the area and seemingly send the game to extra time.
Only Spain had a supersub of their own up their sleeve as Oyarzabal won it with four minutes left – ensuring that 58 years of hurt will go on for England.
The final whistle sparked wild Spanish celebrations but Southgate and his dejected squad wasted little time in taking off their runners-up medals.
Questions have been asked about Southgate all tournament, with Gary Lineker even tipping Frank Lampard to take over, and speculation over his future will now intensify with his contract with the FA up in December.
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And it is already just a three-horse race to replace the 53-year-old as England manager, according to the latest odds from Ladbrokes.
The bookies make former Chelsea flop Potter the 11/10 favourite to take over, with Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe just behind in the betting at 2/1.
Elsewhere, Mauricio Pochettino makes up the podium spots at 4/1 – the only other name currently priced shorter than 10/1 to get the gig.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “All eyes will now be on Southgate’s next move, but the race to replace him is already down to just three candidates, if the latest odds are anything to go by.”
Southgate was asked about his future after the final whistle in Berlin.
He said: “I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that.
“I’m going to talk to the right people and, yeah, it’s just not for now.
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Here are the latest odds from Ladbrokes:
Graham Potter – 11/10
Eddie Howe – 2/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 4/1
Jurgen Klopp – 10/1
Lee Carsley – 10/1
Pep Guardiola – 14/1
Ange Postecoglou – 16/1
Michael Carrick – 20/1
Steven Gerrard – 20/1
Thomas Tuchel – 20/1
“I think England are in a really good position in terms of the experiences they’ve got now, the age of the squad.
“Most of this squad are going to be around not just for the World Cup but the next Euros as well.
“There’s a lot to look forward to but at this moment that’s not any consolation.”
Southgate, who guided England to the 2018 World Cup semi-final, has now lost two successive European Championship finals.
And later on in his post-match press conference he stated he will hold talks with the FA in private before making an announcement on whether he will stay.
Southgate said: “It’s hard to reflect so soon after a defeat like this.
“To take England to two finals has never been done [in the men’s game].
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“But we came here to win, and we haven’t been able to do that.”
Southgate added: “The team have done the country proud.
“To reach the first final away from England and the second final in two tournaments is incredible really.
“But at the moment – in my head – none of that matters because we had an opportunity to win and we didn’t take it.”
England ratings: Palmer the super sub but captain Kane struggles yet again in Spain heartbreak
COLE PALMER came off the bench to be England’s star man – but his heroics were unable to stop heartbreak against Spain, writes Tom Barclay.
Mikel Oyarzabal struck a late dagger through the hearts of the Three Lions to seal a 2-1 Spanish victory.
And that ensured that 58 years of hurt will go on.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated each England player in the crushing defeat:
Jordan Pickford: 8
Carefully controlled a blast of a backpass from John Stones on his line in the first half. Could do little to stop Williams’ opener but made two terrific stops to deny Yamal, only for Oyarzabal to poke home at the death.
Kyle Walker: 6
Had his hands full with Williams but managed the Spanish livewire pretty well but could not get near his powerful opener.
John Stones: 8
A colossus again as he played every single minute of this Euros, despite lack of Manchester City game-time. Superb block on early Williams shot, was often in the right place at the right time and at one point dribbled all the way up the pitch.
Marc Guehi: 6
Solid alongside Stones and overall it has been a brilliant first tournament for the Crystal Palace star. But Oyarzabal nicked in front of him for the winner.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Most consistent attacker for England across the tournament and had a good battle with pantomime villain Marc Cucurella here. It was his cross that Bellingham laid off for Palmer to work his magic.
Declan Rice: 7
Went past his boss Gareth Southgate’s cap haul by winning his 58th here and he is still only 25. Was in the thick of it in the midfield battle throughout.
Kobbie Mainoo: 5
Just 19 and starting a major final for England in the middle of midfield. Fewer bursts forward though than in recent games as his side struggled for possession and was subbed for Palmer as Southgate searched for a leveller.
Luke Shaw: 7
Looked so sharp for a player making his first start since Luton away on February 10, winning his battle against Lamine Yamal in the first half. But Yamal got the better of him after the break to tee up Williams’ opener.
Phil Foden: 6
Out of possession it was his job to man-mark Manchester City colleague Rodri, until the Spanish maestro went off injured at half-time. Had a half-chance just before the break but could not beat Unai Simon.
Jude Bellingham: 7
Shunted wide left when England did not have the ball – which was a lot of the time. Riskily flew into a few tackles, but it was his clever lay-off that teed up Palmer.
Harry Kane: 4
His lack of involvement was summed up by England fans calling for Ollie Watkins in the 57th minute. They got their wish on the hour.
SUBS:
Ollie Watkins: 6
Semi-final hero was introduced far earlier here to get some legs in behind, though he did not have too much impact this time.
Cole Palmer: 9
What an impact after emerging with just twenty minutes to go. Yet another of Southgate’s subs paid off handsomely as Palmer curled a peach of an equaliser with 17 minutes remaining, sending most of the Olympiastadion potty.
Ivan Toney: 6
Thrown on right at the end but could not make an impact.
Gareth Southgate: 7
The game was a chess match for the first half and Southgate was never going to go early with his bold moves.
His subs were excellent to be fair, with Palmer brilliantly getting his team back into it.
Critics will say England did not play attacking enough but Spain are one hell of a side – and Southgate’s men pushed them all the way.
