‘Something’s not right’ – Ian Wright reveals Gareth Southgate concern as England prepare for Slovakia clash
IAN WRIGHT believes there is “something not right” with Gareth Southgate at the moment.
Former England striker Wright sees a change in the demeanour of the Three Lions’ boss at the Euros – particularly when he is in front of the media.
The 60-year-old said on Stick to Football: The Overlap Special, brought to you by Sky Bet: “You can see something about him in his interviews.
“When you look at Gareth before this tournament, you look at him and his demeanour, he was very confident.
“When he’s speaking to people and looking at reporters, there is an authority to what he’s saying, and he has confidence in what he’s saying.
“Now you’re hearing him say, ‘There’s something quite not right,’ and he does this thing at the moment where he’s speaking and will look down and you can see that he’s contemplating something else.
“There is something not right with him and I really feel for him because I think he’s taken on so much with what he’s had to do as England manager and change so many different things culturally and politically.”
Southgate is bossing his fourth major tournament since taking over in 2016 but is expected by many to step down after this summer’s Euros.
England topped their group with an opening win against Serbia with draws to Denmark and Slovenia following.
Slovakia now await in the last 16 on Sunday and Phil Foden is back having gone to the UK for the birth of his third child.
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EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY
BBC and ITV's Euro 2024 line up in full
Here's how each channel will line-up:
BBC presenters:
Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman
ITV presenters:
Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods
BBC pundits:
Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden
ITV pundits:
Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina Unkel
BBC commentators:
Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan Pearce
ITV commentators:
Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe Speight
BBC co-commentators:
Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFadden
ITV co-commentators:
Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend
Meanwhile, Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier worked on individual programmes to aid their load – but are expected to play against Slovakia.
Luke Shaw still remains an unused member of the squad after being selected while still carrying an injury.
But the Manchester United star has now declared himself fit and could feature against Slovakia.