James is set to support Southgate and England at the 2026 World Cup

Former England player David James says he is ready to back Gareth Southgate if he decides to continue as manager.

The Three Lions lost in the final of Euro 2024, with Spain facing the last game minutes before kick-off in Berlin.

It marked another ‘close but not close enough’ moment for the head coach, who led his side to the finals of Euro 2020 and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

But England have never been able to get over the line and his tactical acumen is being questioned again.

James says Southgate has brought unity to the camp while achieving something no manager has been able to do.

Speaking exclusively to 101GreatGoals on behalf of Best Online Poker Sites, he said: “I think you handled the tournament the right way.

Gareth Southgate shows up on Sunday #EURO2024 last time…

– England (@England) July 15, 2024

“What I liked about Gareth in all of this, if you look at the players who will start the game, one player out of 11 who didn’t start is Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“In fact from the 11, the team that will start well is the one that Gareth was going with. He stuck to his guns in that sense. And in what could be considered a lot of pressure, he put us in the final.

“Obviously because of Rodri’s exit, the game plan was slightly changed and that was a turning point.

“I think he was smart. And if, if he decides to continue, I will be 100% behind him.

“I was part of this, it might have been 20 odd years ago, but England were failing to qualify for the Euros. England entered the Euros in the 2000s and did not make it out of the group stage.

“So, in a short period of time, Gareth has built a place for himself and a group of players that have reached the semi-finals and finals of major competitions and that’s something no other manager has been able to do.

“Yes, you can look at the individual finals and say that could have happened, but to be there where the other team is concerned is very good.

“If Gareth had been leading in the World Cup finals, maybe that one chance that leads us rather than the team playing would be the difference between us and coming out in second place compared to the winners.”

Safe hands

Southgate relies on both experience and youth at Euro 2024.

Players like Kobbie Mainoo and Jude Bellingham have played for their countries but senior guards including Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford are also relied on.

Jordan Pickford to appreciate the post. Once again, another amazing display of his country. What a ‘keeper pic.twitter.com/IHkeYCphWZ

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) July 14, 2024

Pickford enjoyed another successful campaign in goal, saving a crucial penalty in the quarter-final win against Switzerland.

He also saved big things in the final against Spain even though it was not enough for his team to advance.

Regardless of the overall result, the Everton goalkeeper has received high praise from James, who has played 53 games for England.

He said: “You can use different statistics to argue a point in one way or another. I think you have been very good.

“I was with David Seaman last night and I’m thinking, should I say Dave Seaman was there? But the truth is that this is a goalkeeper who has played in the final twice, no other England goalkeeper has done that.

“He played in the semi-finals. He was instrumental in England getting to those positions, including saving penalties.

“The thing I would like from Jordan as an England fan is to have more competition. I think he went to this tournament with two students who didn’t pass well and who for some reason didn’t play the whole season so he wasn’t asked anything.

“Not that I would suggest that he should stop, but I think that when you have that competition during the qualifications and so on, it means that you change the way you should play. But he was beautiful, very beautiful.”