Steve McClaren believes Gareth Southgate is still the man to lead England forward despite criticism of his side’s recent performances and insists they can triumph at next summer’s European Championship.
The Three Lions have put in a couple of lacklustre performances in recent internationals and will go no further in the Nations League after a 2-0 defeat to Belgium on Sunday evening.
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Southgate does have a number of players out injured and has faced pressure from Premier League clubs over call ups, but there has been a sense of frustration from supporters.
There is still one game left to play in the Nations League against Iceland this evening, with commentary live on talkSPORT.
Simon Jordan called the England boss ‘the international Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’ while there has been other accusations that he’s not the man to inspire the team forward.
One of his former players, Mido, even said he should be sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Former England boss McClaren said he had complete faith, though, that Southgate could win a tournament.
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McClaren told White and Jordan on talkSPORT: “They came close (to winning the World Cup). That game against Croatia they were totally in control and winning.
“I know exactly where you are coming from Simon and you are exactly right. When you look on the face of it he’s not been successful at club level, and not won anything and not won anything at international level either, but I think his time is coming.
“I think with his squad and the players he’s got he’s capable of doing it. With this squad and these players, he’s got the tools to win the Euros next summer. That’s when the pressure will be and he’s building up to that.”
McClaren also believes that Southgate will be pleased with what he has seen from his side in the recent internationals.
The England boss has experimented with a new formation and brought new players into the fold.
McClaren added: “Gareth will be disappointed (with England going out of the Nations League) and we all are that this game has nothing riding on it.
“I thought the performance (against Belgium) was very good. We dominated possession and we dominated the play.
“He’s experimented with the 3-4-3 [formation] but we aren’t creative enough and we have no penetration behind the defenders.
“I suppose that’s because the likes of Sterling, Rashford and Sancho will be totally different. I think Gareth will look at this stage of games as being very tough; Denmark, Belgium and Iceland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales.
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“COVID-19, injuries, so many games, start of the season and complaints from clubs. He will look at it and say he’s experimented with a system and experimented with players.
“Yes, he’s had his run-ins with clubs but he’s come out of it and I know we aren’t going forward in the Nations League but everything is about the Euros next year. I think he’ll be pleased and will be planning for that.
“As long as everybody is fit for that I think we have a great chance. We dominated that game against Belgium, but for a free-kick and a set piece and a deflected shot, we looked the better team.”
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