Gareth Southgate admits England will have to produce the “perfect” performance to become kings of Europe for the first time in history.
The Three Lions face Spain in the Euro 2024 final this weekend, with the chance to become footballing immortals. England have not won a trophy since landing the World Cup back in 1966.
But if Southgate’s stars can end the long wait and win silverware on foreign soil, it will elevate all of them to iconic status. And he knows his Three Lions will have to come up with the display of their lives to cement their names in folklore.
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Southgate said: “Spain would be rightly favourites, for what they have done this tournament. They have been the best team. They are a bloody good side. Let’s pitch it right. We have got to be perfect to win this game.
“Tactically we have to be perfect. We will have to find everything that we have got from within us.
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“But, we are in there – and there is no question the big nights that a lot of this group have been together and this new group, they have formed so well and have learned so much from these six games already.”
Southgate knows both himself and England now have huge experience of these big occasions, including reaching the last Euros final in 2021. Not to mention the loyal backing of thousands of frenzied fans heading to Berlin on Sunday.
He said: “We have got players who have played lots of big matches, so they will know what is required on the night. I think all of these big matches we view differently now. Because we have been in them.
(Image: PA)
“You don’t know, for me as a coach, until you have coached a European final, because there is so much around it that is different. You cannot help but learn from those experiences. There is a lot to take in, a lot in my mind.
“But I am delighted for the supporters. When we have got the supporters with us, as they are now, the energy that brings and the lift that brings to everything is immense.”
Southgate, meanwhile, has paid tribute to his No.2 Steve Holland – admitting he wouldn’t have had all his success without his right hand man.
(Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos)
The Three Lions manager said: “Firstly, I could not do it without him. He is a fantastic balance for me. His strengths eat up my weaknesses.
“He is so meticulous in his preparation. We have grown so close. The trust between us is immense and I could not have anybody better alongside me.
“He has won the Champions League, he has won the Premier League, everything. He is a proud Englishman like me and there is one medal missing.
”We have brilliant staff right across the board but clearly, our relationship is really, really strong.”