Gareth Southgate: ‘We’ve got an U21 finals to prepare for and I need to know where I’m going to park my car’
Southgate wants England future sortedwith England Under-21s tournament looming
ENGLAND’S dummies blew a two-goal lead against Spain at Wembley last night.
Adam Lallana’s penalty and a diving header from Jamie Vardy — who led a mannequin challenge celebration — put the hosts in control.
But Iago Aspas and Isco produced a swift double in the dying moments to deny Gareth Southgate victory in his final game as interim boss.
Southgate said: “We’ve played one of the best teams in the world.
“Maybe in the long run not winning will be good for us because we know what we’ve got to do. We know the level.”
It left Southgate with two wins and two draws from his four-game stand-in spell — and he remains hot favourite to succeed Sam Allardyce on a full-time basis.
Keep up to date with ALL the England news, gossip and goals on our page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
The former England defender, 46, added: “I’ve loved the job but it’s not my decision what happens. We were asked to take over and tonight’s performance was special.
“I’ve proved I can handle big occasions.
“I know myself pretty well but until you’re thrown into these matches you are never sure.
“I think we’ve fulfilled our remit. I’ve no idea what will happen now.
“We’ve got an Under-21 finals to prepare for and I need to know where I’m going to park my car.”
FA chairman Greg Clarke had made it clear in his programme notes that there would be no immediate appointment, saying: “We will sit down after this fixture to consider our options with regard to the manager position, and with full gratitude to Gareth and his staff for their work.”
The England players have made it clear they want Southgate appointed full-time — and they were hurt at allowing Spain to rob them of victory.
Skipper Jordan Henderson said: “We are devastated, we put a lot into it and worked really hard.
“We gave everything and to concede two late on is very disappointing.
“They didn’t have many clear-cut chances.
“But credit to Spain — they are world class.”
Vardy at least could celebrate ending his 14-GAME goal drought — just as SunSport columnist Ian Wright predicted.
Vardy said: “We had a little idea for the celebration. The manager has been brilliant and you’ve seen with this performance that we came with a plan down to a tee. But it wasn’t to be.”