Rio Ferdinand expressed disapproval of Gareth Southgate’s ‘defensive tactics’ in the final loss.

England’s head coach Gareth Southgate had a conversation with midfielder Jude Bellingham during the UEFA Euro 2024 final match between Spain and England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 14, 2024.

The match started off slow, with Spain dominating possession in the first half. However, it was Nico Williams who broke the deadlock just 70 seconds into the second half, igniting a spark in The Three Lions.

Substitutes Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins injected new energy into the game, with Palmer scoring the equalizer and setting up an exciting final 20 minutes. But unfortunately for England, they seemed to revert back to their conservative tactics after drawing level.

In the 86th minute, Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winning goal for Spain, sealing a well-deserved victory. The post-match analysis began immediately, with former England international Rio Ferdinand questioning why it takes a setback for England to bring out their best.

Ferdinand expressed his disappointment, stating that it felt like England were holding back despite having a squad filled with quality players. He emphasized the need for England to be aggressive from the start, like top teams do, instead of waiting until they are behind to show their true potential.

Ferdinand credited the impact of substitutes Watkins and Palmer, who brought a sense of urgency and pressure to the Spanish defense. He questioned why England had to wait so long to be on the front foot and aggressive when they have talented players all over the pitch.

Southgate’s defensive approach throughout the tournament has raised eyebrows, especially considering the talent at his disposal, including Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and Palmer. Ferdinand believes that under Southgate, these players have not been able to showcase their true abilities.

Ferdinand highlighted the bravery and risk-taking mentality of these players at their clubs, and expressed the need for them to display the same courage on the international stage. He criticized the conservative style of play, stating that if England is going to adopt such an approach, they must win, otherwise it will be seen as a negative approach that falls on the manager.

In conclusion, Ferdinand believes that Southgate’s style of football limits the potential of the talented England squad, and that they should be playing with more courage and taking chances in order to achieve success.