Gareth Southgate is a genius and would be a fool not to lead England to the 2026 World Cup after Euro 2024, says Paul Ince

GARETH SOUTHGATE would be a “fool” to leave England if they won Euro 2024, says Manchester United legend Paul Ince.

The Three Lions face Spain in the European Championship final on Sunday at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.

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Southgate’s contract ends in December and there has been much discussion about his future after an unhappy start to the competition, despite playing in his second successive Euro final.

Ince, 56, insists his former England team-mate needs to remain in charge for the 2026 World Cup following his impressive work with the national team.

Southgate, 53, completely changed the team’s culture and his impact also led to fourth place at the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

The United great insists the England manager is a “right genius” who deserves to win the country’s first silver medal since the 1966 World Cup.

Ince exclusively told Ladbrokes 1-2-Free: “In management, when you make substitutions, you are either going to look like a fool or a genius.

“If you sign certain players, people will ask questions. [Ivan] Toney, come on [Anthony] Gordon’. But listen, it worked, and Gareth seems like a genius.

“The world of social media these days means it’s almost impossible to escape criticism. But I don’t think that’s going to bother Southy, I really don’t.

“We are here now, in the final and he will probably still be criticized even if we go on and win!

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“Yes, we were a bit lucky, but we definitely deserved it. You think back to 1996. We could have easily won that tournament. Then we have 1993, when Ronald Koeman should have been sent packing. There are so many occasions when things don’t go our way. way.

“Of course I would love to see Gareth win; he changed England in many ways.

“Culturally, 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 ahead of them.

“Maybe he wants to step down and take a break, but if they win on Sunday I think he would be a fool not to take this team to America in a few years.”

England x Spain record

England have faced Spain 27 times in total – here’s a look at each 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 (I)
• 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 – League of Nations (L)
• October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – League of Nations (W)

Overall, England won 14, drew three and lost 10 matches against Spain.