Gary Neville tells Sam Allardyce not to rip up the England squad who flopped at Euro 2016
Ex-Three Lions coach still stunned by Iceland humiliation but insists future can be bright
GARY NEVILLE has told Sam Allardyce not to rip up the young England squad who were humiliated at Euro 2016.
Former Three Lions coach Neville admits he still can't understand why his side turned in such an abject display in the 2-1 defeat to Iceland.
But he insists new England boss Allardyce is inheriting a group of players who can make an impact on major international tournaments.
And he says the only thing the squad is lacking is the ruthless edge that cost them so dearly in France over the summer.
Neville said: "I've been an England player or coach in eight tournaments and the fall-out from this one is no different, but that group of players will achieve.
"Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Adam Lallana, John Stones, Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere, Chris Smalling, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Danny Welbeck - I believe they'll do well without ripping up the DNA and starting again.
"I'd like to wish Sam Allardyce all the very best, he will get a good group of professionals.
";I have seen unhappiness in previous England squads but the current lads are happy, they just need to be more ruthless to overcome those moments which crop up in tournaments.
"They have to start going England's way, those moments which kill you in football matches if they don't.
"I'll never lose hope they'll get it right, that our time will come, even though I won't be involved.
"There is no magic wand, just as there hasn't been for 50 years."
Speaking to in his first interview since that dismal display in the last 16 match against Iceland, Neville still can't quite work out what went wrong.
He quit along with manager Roy Hodgson and assistant boss Ray Lewington immediately after that match, stunned at how a team who he believed had so much potential could be so poor.
Neville added: "I had complete belief in what we were doing until the last 60 minutes against Iceland.
"I never saw that coming, I just don't know what happened in that last hour.
"I'd not seen us play like that in the previous two years, there wasn't one game I could compare it to.
"We played well but conceded late against Russia, we went behind against Wales but carried on trying and got there.
"The goal didn't come against Slovakia but we dominated the three group games.
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"I thought we'd get an equaliser against Iceland, I was absolutely convinced of it but there wasn't an improvement and we, the coaches, accepted responsibility.
"We resigned on the spot, that's as much responsibility as you can take, but sometimes the tide can turn in a football match.
"Credit to Iceland who were fantastic."