It’s 6pm. So it’s time to wrap up this blog. Thanks for your tweets and emails. Here is our take on Roy’s press conference. Have a good evening. Bye.
Teddy Sheringham has made the case for Arsène Wenger to succeed Roy Hodgson in comments that are pointless because it will never happen. “England have strength, passion, desire, hunger, and bullishness. They are strong-minded and resilient. But England need structure. They need guile and finesse. If you look at the way that Arsenal play, they have a structure to the team.’’
Hello, Gregg here. I’m stepping in for the final few minutes so that Gerard can make his way out into the thoroughly depressing heavy rain and off home. It’s the same rain that the England players are trudging through at Luton airport right now, shoulders sagging, legs heavy and with fear in their eyes. They’ve had to arrive on a plane separate to Roy Hodgson of course. I wonder how the on-flight chatter went without him alongside them? Or perhaps they were all silent and cut off from the world by their giant headphones – yes, the ones that so irk Chris Waddle.
@GreggBakowski wouldn't Roy need to have tactics before the players started questioning them?
— David Flynn (@flynnbags00) June 28, 2016
Updated
That’s about all from me – I’m handing over to my colleague Gregg Bakowski now who will take you through until we have the reports and reaction from Hodgson’s final press conference.
I’ll leave you with this – I couldn’t resist giving it one more outing.
Steve McClaren tempting fate on Sky Sports news pic.twitter.com/C3tOCMnYGr
— Derek (@Hoopsterdell) June 27, 2016
Cheerio!
I think Brett may have a point …
@gerard_meagher ref Hodgson's contract - as said in his resignation speech, his contract was up anyway. No payoff.
— Brett Turner (@topsturner) June 28, 2016
Uefa’s interim secretary general, Theodore Theodoridis, has been lauding Iceland’s success story, suggesting it vindicates expanding the tournament to 24 teams.
It’s a model. We will be using it as a positive image for the expansion [to 24 teams]. It’s pleasant for football to have one or two Cinderella stories. If you always have the same eight teams qualifying it becomes a little boring.
You could see it coming - maybe not beating England, but you could see they would be competitive and would end up in a final tournament. If you look back over the last four years their under-21s and under-19s qualified more often than in the past.”
Sky Sports News sticking to their Sky Sources in the face of firm denials from Rooney and Hodgson – almost simultaneously – that senior players questioned the manager’s decisions.
I can’t be sure on the ins and outs of Hodgson’s contract, or his financial situation, but here’s a fairly staunch defence of the now former England manager from Dave Hampson. I don’t think it’s sarcastic, but it’s been a long day …
Can one of your writers please highlight that Roy Hodgson has responded with great honour. Yes, it would generate a million comments and probably some appalling abuse.
What percentage of us - and what percentage of football managers - would deliberately give up a multi-million pound handout for being sacked one day later, preferring instead to resign honourably?
You can say it’s a sensible thing to do (he would have been drawn and quartered if he hadn’t as well as the ritual press hanging out to dry), that he doesn’t need more cash etc. But in these crazy times, how many people act with good sense, or with honour rather than greed?. Full, undiluted credit to Roy Hodgson for this decision.
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In a rather sizeable shift of tone from The Fiver, here’s a thoroughly excellent, if desperately depressing read from David Conn.
So Martin Glenn says it will be the best man for the job, not necessarily the best Englishman, and here Dominic Fifield runs the rule over the contenders.
@gerard_meagher "we’re looking for the best person not necessarily best Englishman" MG - the problem since 1966, all men. Get a woman in...
— Gary Byrne (@garyby) June 28, 2016
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Essential reading
And that is that.
- Well, Roy Hodgson could not have been clearer that he had no interest in being at that press conference. Describing himself as ‘very fragile’, he largely reiterated what was said in his statement last night while accepting the criticism coming England’s way after defeat to Iceland.
- Remarkably he started the press conference with ‘I don’t know what I’m doing here’ and went on the repeat that. He seemed to think that having resigned, it wasn’t his duty. Hmmmm.
- He brushed off suggestions that senior players questioned his tactics – and Wayne Rooney issued a pretty timely statement – and the gist of what he had to say was that he didn’t see the Iceland result or performance coming, pointing to the group stage where their only problem was an inability to score.
- And he said he only turned up at the press conference to avoid looking like he was hiding from the press.
Roy Hodgson: "One particularly bad game has caused a lot of damage to me personally and the team going forward."
— Dominic Fifield (@domfifield) June 28, 2016
Glenn meanwhile, was a bit more forthcoming.
- He confirmed that Hodgson’s successor does not necessarily have to be English.
- He thanked Hodgson for his tenure and was eager to lay the blame at England’s inability to perform at tournaments ‘for the last 50 years’ rather than focus on the Iceland match.
- Attempting to demonstrate that progress has been made under Hodgson, he pointed to the different preparations England have had this time, the style of football, wins over Germany and France and the 10/10 qualification campaign.
- And he called Iceland ‘doughty opponents’ which suggests that he hasn’t learned a thing.
Martin Glenn, one of the men charged with finding new #ENG manager, has now let us know twice he is "not a football expert."
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) June 28, 2016
Updated
Hodgson responds to one final question: “It’s results that count, it’s results that you get judged on. There’s been lots of criticisms during the tournament. As far as I’m concerned I’ve come here today to do the job I’ve just done. I have no complaints about the way I’ve been treated and I do understand that there will be criticism but it’s a fact of life. One particularly bad game has caused a lot of damage to me, the team and the team going forward.”
Glenn asked if England lack nerve at major tournaments: “If you’re objective, when it comes down to the games that matter we haven’t delivered. It’s a 50-year thing and to my mind there’s something around the psychological preparation.
Asked about fear factor, Glenn says: “We’re all party of the problem and part of the solution, I don’t think anywhere else in the world is the scrutiny so intense. We have to take the resilience that’s needed.”
Glenn asked if they’ll be seeking an Englishman: “best person for the job. I’m not here to talk about names – I’ve been consistent, we’re looking for the best person not necessarily the best Englishman.”
Here’s Wayne Rooney’s statement: “In response to recent media reports, I’d like to say that is completely untrue.
“On behalf of the players, we completely supported the England manager but we understand his reasons for stepping down. We had absolute faith in the build-up and throughout the tournament.”
Updated
Ooooosh. Hodgson unleashing both barrels, or as much as Hodgson does anyway.
In short, he wasn’t happy at having to come to the press conference but felt coerced by the insinuations that he was dodging the press.
Updated
Glenn asked how there has been progress since the World Cup and points to the qualifying record, the style of football and wins over Germany and France (which is a little bit questionable).
Glenn asked why he forced Hodgson to come and Hodgson interrupts …
“I was not forced to come, I did so because I’ve never shirked a press conference, I’ve asked questions for four years, and when I was told it could be construed that I was firghtened to come, I chose to come. I’m unhappy about it because it’s no longer my job.
“I can’t give anybody a magic answer to any question they might have. I’m here because this is my last day in the job and to wish my successors well.”
Hodgson continues: “I think this group of players as they mature will have more success than they’ve had at the tournament. I don’t think it’s got anything to do with money, or where they play.”
Again he refers to his statement, and again says he doesn’t know what he’s doing there. He’s clearly not happy about being roped into being there.
Glenn takes over and starts defending St George’s Park. Using a pretty ropey analogy with a Premier League academy. Points to the Toulon tournament and age-group success, which bodes well for Gareth Southgate …
Updated
Hodgson is offered the chance to blame the players by a reporter and refuses.
“We feel very, very sad and we have great sympathy for the fans. Of course we’re sorry we couldn’t give them the results they were hoping for. Whenever you don’t meet expectation it’s a sad day.
“I honestly believe the players were desperately trying to win the games but last night we didn’t have the right performance.”
Glenn talking again. He’s very keen to deflect attention away from the Iceland game and focus on England being pap in tournaments in general. Keeps on talking about being brittle at business ends of tournaments and is now talking about the planned review into the tournament.
“There isn’t one single thing we can fix but we must punch our weight in tournaments as we haven’t been able to for the last 50 years.
Asked about senior players reportedly questioning his tactics: “They’ve hidden it well. Against Slovakia we dominated from start to finish but didn’t take our chances.”
Wayne Rooney has apparently put out a statement denying those claims which I’ll have for you shortly.
Asked if he has any regrets, “I don’t know. It’s too early. I don’t think that before last night’s game, I didn’t have too much cause for concern other than we weren’t taking our chances.”
Updated
Hodgson to speak now. He’s taking questions. He looks utterly knackered.
“I don’t really know what I’m doing here, I’m no longer the England manager but I was told to come. I suppose someone has to come and take the slings and arrows … my emotions are the obvious ones. I’m very disappointed, I didn’t see the result coming.
“If you don’t turn up and play the football that you know you’re capable of, an opponent like Iceland can beat you. I’m still recovering from that, it wasn’t a good night and I’m very fragile.
“We believed that we could get to the quarter-final and get beyond that.”
Moving on …
“We tried things differently. We felt that we’d really given the squad and the country the best chance of success but it’s clearly not enough, as the evidence suggests. We clearly need to do more.”
“The process for finding a new manager is underway. Dan Ashworth, myself and David Gill will be the triumvirate that looks after it. It’s really important that we get it right. Taking it forward with a view to the World Cup in Russia. We’re going to be canvassing opinion to get a lot of wisdom. We don’t need to throw the baby out with the bathwater but we’re not denying that when we get to the business end of a tournament England seem brittle.
“In terms of the FA’s commitment, we’ll get a new management team and in the future at every tournament, every game, every half we will punch our weight.”
Glenn is now thanking Hodgson. Acknowledges that Iceland is not exactly his career point but points out the way he resigned … the mark of the man etc
Hodgson arrives to speak to the press
Martin Glenn begins with a message to the fans: “It’s a sorry. When it comes to the games that really matter, we’ve come up short. It’s been a problem for many years, having been a fan before I started this job, I get it. We’re very disappointed. Iceland were a doughty opponent but we didn’t punch our weight.”
Doughty? Not in the slightest bit patronising …
Not long to go now … Hodgson set to face the media one last time, along with Martin Glenn.
In the meantime, Wales players have defended their somewhat exuberant celebrations of Iceland’s victory.
Chris Gunter: “I think it may be easy to see it as being slightly over the top. But it certainly wasn’t meant to come across that way. If you asked the squad as a whole, from a selfish point of view, we are ever so proud to be the last home nation team in the tournament.
“We’ve come such a long way and football has a funny way of bringing out emotions, as you’ve seen when we played them a couple of weeks ago. No one has talked about Iceland, another team who were written off before a ball was kicked and now they’ve reached the quarter-finals. It’s fantastic for the tournament that Iceland are still in there.”
Neil Taylor: “From Albania to Hungary, they have been a breath of fresh air, and Iceland were written off as well. I obviously know Gylfi [Sigurdsson] and he has explained to me about Iceland and what they are all about.
“I saw that when they qualified, and in this tournament they have been unbelievable. That was half of the celebrations because of how well Iceland have done. I understand how it has come across, but as a group of players we’ve supported Iceland all along.”
Stat alert
That just isn’t very good, is it?
In the last two major tournaments, Joe Hart has made a total of nine saves and conceded eight goals.
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) June 28, 2016
While you wait for Hodgson’s final hurrah, why not take this quiz? I think you can see the result of one of Harry Kane’s free-kicks in one of them …
Unlikely, not impossible, but unlikely
"....It appears Roy Hodgson is now going to join Martin Glenn....".
I hope, for their sake, that, Blackadder-style, they'll both come armed with underpants to put on their heads, a pencil for each nostril and "wibble" as their answer for every single question.
Stuart continues the rugby union v football debate …
All the answers to England’s predicament can be found in the transformation of the England rugby team. They had their ‘Iceland’ in a World Cup on home soil. Their answer has been to find a coach who doesn’t give a toss what the press or public think about his selections, develops a system for each game, shows the players how to execute it, and trusts them to do it. If it starts to go wrong, he changes it ruthlessly.
Same players almost, different results.
England players get back on the bus after lunch
Jack Wilshere has a white bin-bag around his waste … Jamie Vardy finds something hilarious and Dan Ashworth is one of the last on the bus – presumably after giving Hodgson some what for as he left the hotel.
Press conference in just over half an hour …
It’s a theme that’s dominating the comments section, but how relevant is the England rugby union team’s turnaround in what the post-Hodgson era may look like? Jeff Docherty has this to say …
Last year the England Rugby Team were humiliated in their own Tournament, knocked out in the Group Stage. A shambles of selection, tactics, style and leadership.
Now look! Indefatigable, hard nosed, unbowed, cussed no little skill and supreme attitude beating all comers. Largely with the same team.
Let’s take a long hard look at getting the right management in.
Because redemption could be in reach sooner rather than later.
Roy Hodgson bingo
Eyes down (when the press conference starts) now that the outgoing manager has decided to speak to the press.
No passion.
Winter break.
Root and branch review.
Don't play like they do for their clubs.
Give the young players a chance.
Tactically out-thought.
Tired after a long season.
Frozen by fear.
The FA's fault.
Overpaid primadonnas.
There, that's all the bases covered. We can clock off early.
David Wall presents the case against Arsene Wenger …
I’m puzzled that many people seem to think that Wenger would be a good fit for the England job, with much of the reluctance to back him related to doubting that he’d do it, rather than doubting that he’d be able to. The problem last night was obvious. It wasn’t lack of technical ability, it wasn’t lack of tactical preparation (does anyone seriously think that Hodgson hadn’t been drilling them on defending long-throws all week), it was a collective panic and lack of nerve when confronted with a situation that they know they can manage with but are unexpectedly struggling with.
It was akin to a talented student sitting down to take a medium level exam paper, finding their mind has gone blank when they look at the first question, and then going into a blind panic when they’re not able to perform rudimentary tasks that normally they can do without thinking. Given that that is exactly the kind of thing that Arsenal fans have been witness to, at moments when that they should be able to cope if they were thinking clearly, I don’t see how Wenger is the man with the answer to that problem.
Essential reading
Mido has his say
Gareth Southgate seems to be polarising opinion somewhat. He’s the favourite with the bookies but Harry Redknapp believes he would be a ‘scary’ appointment and now Mido, yes Mido, has had his say.
I can't believe that in England they are talking about @GarethSouthgate to become the new Manager!! I hope he learned since the @Boro days!!
— Mido (@midoahm) June 28, 2016
That’s the same Mido who scored six goals in three years at the Riverside.
Updated
Toby Alderweireld has expressed his sympathies for England’s brave boys, a fair few of whom he plays alongside at Spurs …
Who am I, of course, to judge them, but the Premier League must urgently think about a rest period in a European Championship or World Cup year. We are working day by day for a year. When the other leagues take a winter break, we just gear up. That creeps into your clothes and translates into the elimination of England.”
Well, if the England team is getting Diego Simeone because he’s supposedly leaving Atlético Madrid, the logical next move would be to nationalise Lionel Messi, who’s definitely abandoning the Argentina squad. Now that we’re free of EU regulations, we can do what we want, amirite?
Yes Charles, very right.
U-turn
It appears Roy Hodgson is now going to join Martin Glenn and speak at the press conference today – presumably to announce he’s joining the Chinese Super League.
A change of heart akin to his selection policy.
Updated
Hodgson to be offered job in Chinese Super League?
Hot off the wires, here’s my favourite story of the day so far
And on that note, I’m off for a quick bite. I’ll leave you with a bit of essential reading from Daniel Taylor on Gareth Southgate, currently the clear favourite to replace Hodgson.
Updated
The inevitable cross-sport discussions have begun. Eoin Morgan has been asked for his views on England’s plight, having played his part in the England cricket team’s World Cup debacle last year.
The learning experience we’ve had over the last 12 months, with the new group of players, has been so significant that there is almost a completely different team. I suppose for us, it was going with a new method and a new group of players.”
A spot of transfer news for you now, for England’s humiliation will become a distant memory just as soon as Martin Tyler lets out his first ‘and it’s LIVE!’ of the new season …
Updated
'Oh how fantastic it is to be an Icelander'
Jon Collin has been in touch …
While I accept obvious points about us having no identifiable system of play, tactical plan, etc. has anybody pointed out that it might’ve been a mistake to base our team around players from a team that ended the season absolutely knacked, thoroughly demoralised, and in terrible form? Kane in particular, has looked shot from that Chelsea game onwards, and his taking of set-pieces throughout smacked of desperation to magically discover some form and confidence.
I tend to agree that they were demoralised, in poor form and knackered. Can’t help but think Kane must have wanged one of those Ronaldo/Bale-esque free-kicks into the top corner in training and Hodgson got a wee bit overexcited.
It’s bold, there’s certainly no doubting it’s bold, but I like it. Beckham as assistant perhaps?
DIEGO SIMEONE please!!!! He recently declared that it may be time to move on from Athletico Madrid. Unfortunately, Little England's FA would probably balk at appointing a foreigner, especially an Argie. How pathetic is that?
England’s new manager to be appointed by mid-August – so say Sky Sources (an email from the FA on Andy Burton’s phone).
Of course, the new bod needs to be in place for England’s opening qualifier for World Cup 2018, which is away to Slovakia on 4 September.
Updated
Hard to argue with much of this email from Jack Lynch.
Surely it’s time Guardian Football looked more closely at what goes wrong with England. What a contrast yesterday with Italy - a team which is not, man-for-man, superior to England, but which played to a plan where everyone knew his place and the contribution he was expected to make. Graziano Pelle rightly took plaudits but, on form over the last two Premier League seasons, would you prefer him to Harry Kane? Of course not.
So how come Pelle has looked so effective, and Kane so ineffective, in France? Do England coaches simply fall short of the rigour applied by the likes of Antonio Conte? Certainly there have been times when it has been difficult to discern system and method under Hodgson. Or do English players lack the discipline to absorb instructions and stick to them? The mind goes back to Capello, gesticulating furiously on the touchline in Rustenberg in 2010, bellowing at his charges to “fucking press!” Afterwards he evinced bewilderment at the divergence between what was agreed before the match, and what they actually did.
Once more …
Steve McClaren tempting fate on Sky Sports news pic.twitter.com/C3tOCMnYGr
— Derek (@Hoopsterdell) June 27, 2016
Just a reminder that the FA’s Martin Glenn will be fielding questions in Chantilly at 4pm BST when he’s expected to announce one of these wide-ranging, in-depth, time-buying reviews into what went wrong. We have to assume that whether England will be taking up North Sailing’s manager Gudbjartur Jonsson’s offer will be among the first questions asked.
Halcyon days
The odds for England's next manager, 1993. pic.twitter.com/5LB5ojwxOY
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) June 28, 2016
Good point, well made ID237371 (who may or may not be an automatic goal scoring robot). And one endorsed by Stan Collymore too.
Slaven Bilic. Astute, tactically brilliant, passionate, understands teh English game and more importantly, the mentality of its players.
England arrive back in Chantilly
Hodgson is one of the first off the bus back at the hotel, he doesn’t look like he’s slept. Lewington is next, carrying a bag on his shoulder, no doubt full of Parisian souvenirs …
Oooh, and Ross Barkley has been found safe and sound. He’s back at the hotel too.
Now I’m guessing that there might have been one or two sorrows drowned last night which will no doubt mean one or two early lunch breaks are taken today, provided that is you’re reading at work. In which case, I have the perfect lunchtime reading for you
Ben Lake has been in touch re: Wazza. I’m particularly keen to hear more about the automatic goal scoring robots and how England might go about getting their hands on one …
Hello,
I am entirely of the belief that Rooney being moved to midfield is a massive mistake. He can do a job there if necessary but when you have actual midfielders (who play there all the time) there is no need for him to be there.
He slows play down and when put under any pressure will start giving the ball away. You saw this in the FA cup final and that was against a an extremely defensive crystal Palace. He drew plaudits after the Russia match but we all know how good that Russian team is now.
I think last night he could have been shoved up front and the midfield been left to midfielders but the delivery into the box was so terrible all night you could have had an automatic goal scoring robot up front and it would make no difference.
All tournament the general consensus has been that we have been unlucky but hopefully this result highlights the reality. Even when we dominated possession stats, how often did we really test a defence or goalkeeper? How many really great chances did we create? Were we banging on the door or were we stood a few meters away from the door politely asking to be let in?
This was an immensely disappointing tournament for nearly every player from my point of view. Rooney isn’t THE issue but he is AN issue.
There’s lots of chitter-chatter below the line about Wayne Rooney who did speak to the press last night and revealed he has no intentions of retiring from international football. He was, of course, awful last night and is culpable in the sense that, as the only player in the side that others were willing to follow, his ineptitude was infectious.
I’m a touch confused as to why he wasn’t put up front though, what with his record of doing the goals for England, and seeing as he played there during qualification. It would also have meant players such as *puts on tin hat* Henderson, Milner and Barkley, who featured in this perfect qualifying run, may have improved matters, what with their familiarity with each other and their positions.
Thoughts etc?
Morph7 will most likely not be far wrong. I’m getting swamped by emails from online bookmakers with Southgate narrowing to 6-4. Redknapp is a particularly dubious 7-1 second favourite in some places with Hoddle, Howe, Pardew and Allardyce the other leading contenders.
Go for the complete opposite of Roy and then repeat the cycle over and over again.
Here’s the video of Aaron Ramsey and his Welsh chums that may or may not be them celebrating England’s demise.
Aaron Ramsey and the rest of the Wales team celebrating England crashing out of #EURO2016 tonight.. pic.twitter.com/ORJMY1zUqp
— 90thMin (@90thMin) June 27, 2016
This, if real, is excellent
Think I've been misquoted. pic.twitter.com/XgXCgwztR7
— Gaz Phiz (@blueboi1987) June 28, 2016
Jamie Redknapp has interrupted his round of golf to speak to Sky Sports News. He’s asked what when wrong with England, rattles off a couple of minutes’ worth of gratuitous pap and then effectively answers the question by saying “I was already looking forward to the France game”.
Updated
This is among my favourite comments so far …
A German perspective:
The problem with England is in the complete lack of organization and tactics.
It is not with the players, and it is not a lack of skill either.
Having to listen to English pundits saying things like 'the attitude wasn't right', 'their heart wasn't in it' and such mental diarrhea, the cringe is almost unbearable.
It's as if they think the English players just never want to play good. Bollocks.
England need a coach (whether foreign or not) who understands tactics, and who picks players to make a complete team, not to cater to what the Press want.
Please forgive a tiny jibe of mine: Joe Hart was already a clown in 2014 - he is a shitty oldschool goalkeeper who moves like a puppet on strings, and England need to get rid of him. The sooner the better.
Updated
Another popular choice – or his clone, Mauricio Pochettino, although not that many Spurs players are emerging with much credit from last night.
If Harry Redknapp wants a rabbit out of the hat (see 8.51am), how about Marcelo Bielsa for England manager?
Regards,
Gareth Barlow
Featuring Steve McClaren, Bjork v Coldplay, Brexit B@nter and a bright future
'Young and hungry players'
Sweet lord. Sky Sports News are actually discussing England’s travel arrangements, including their lunch plans and when the players will be packing their bags …
… has Steve McClaren gone home?
Updated
And breathe …
It’s Squires time.
Here’s one manager the FA can chalk off its little list. There’s no prizing him away after this …
The manager's back this week so we bought him a little present 👍🏽🇪🇸 #RafaTheGaffa https://t.co/SEXPePGu6T
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 28, 2016
Featuring Gary Cahill looking forlorn, a lot.
I can’t really argue with anything Hubert says.
@gerard_meagher Surely Phil Brown's time has come? He's tanned, he's rested, he's ready! And tanned. Really really tanned.
— Hubert O'Hearn (@BTBReviews) June 28, 2016
Essential reading …
… from our chief football writer, Daniel Taylor, including a delicious pay-off and just how far England are willing to cast the net.
Updated
That’s some front page in Iceland – Italian one not too shabby either.
In #ITA and #ISL, the ecstasy. #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/8ciJPfnoV8
— Joshua Robinson (@JoshRobinson23) June 28, 2016
So Gareth Southgate remains the clear favourite to replace Roy Hodgson, which feels as good a reason as any to dig this out.
It’s not a universally popular option though.
This discussion about whether Gareth Southgate should be the next England manager is even more depressing than the match.
— Owen Gibson (@owen_g) June 27, 2016
Roy Hodgson is coming in for increasing levels of grief for once again dodging the press today. He’s hardly covering himself in glory but then at least we don’t have to stomach the dignified, fronting up shtick – run a mile Roy!
In finger-on-the-pulse news …
ICYMI: @vardy7 earned his 11th cap for @England on Monday evening: https://t.co/GWd1FDKSyr pic.twitter.com/EEYttXOjY7
— Leicester City (@LCFC) June 28, 2016
B@nter alert …
A large amount of salt rubbed into the wounds by everyone’s favourite cartographers …
We neither confirm or deny the rumours we are talking to @FA about showing future England teams data, maps and routes to the opposition goal
— Ordnance Survey (@OrdnanceSurvey) June 28, 2016
Confirmation that the FA’s Martin Glenn will address the media at a press conference a 5pm local time in Chantilly, that’s 4pm BST. Roy Hodgson was reportedly offered the opportunity to join him … he declined.
Updated
Guus Hiddink to dive on the grenade?
The two-time interim Chelsea manager is another of the more popular choices this morning.
For 2 years they should put Guus Hiddink in charge. He'll get them playing to a system at least. The Australian players spoke very highly of him - they knew what the style of play was, and if their opponents changed anything during the game, they had a plan to adjust to it.
Wherever you lay the blame for England’s defeat, it’s pretty inescapable that Hodgson got his tactics horribly wrong. Walking, talking chalkboard Michael Cox explains how here.
Time for some light relief …
Courtesy of the Rumour Mill.
Back to England now, and perhaps as inevitable at the utter lack of direction from Hodgson’s brave boys was the fearlessness with which Marcus Rashford played. Why he wasn’t brought on earlier is just one of the conundrums that remains unanswered after Hodgson dodged questions last night but he is the only player – bar that endearingly woeful attempted stepover (we’ve all done it) – to emerge with any credit. Here’s some essential reading on the 18-year-old from Rob Smyth.
A piece on the potential greatness of Marcus Rashford, by @robsmyth: https://t.co/lTqmXPX6Yu
— Danish Dynamite (@DanishDyn86) June 28, 2016
Staying away from England for just another minute, here’s a video of Granit Xhaka still looking for the ball after his penalty against Poland t’other day.
😍 Love at first sight for Granit...https://t.co/IpfFCfVdNN
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) June 27, 2016
Moving away from England for just a minute, Italy were excellent against Spain weren’t they? Spain were, it must be said, below par but Italy were very impressve. Have a read of Sid Lowe’s piece from the Stade de France.
Updated
Player ratings is never an exact science. One daily newspaper gave each member of England’s XI zero out of 10 last night, whereas the Guardian’s Tom Bryant adopted a more measured approach. Those below are a touch curious though …
Sun gives Rooney 8 out of 10 and Rashford, who did more in 4mins than anyone, 5. Curious pic.twitter.com/Z4OCDOmqLA
— Stephen McMillan (@stemac74) June 28, 2016
Oh wow!
THAT @footballiceland chant. #ISL pride. 💪💪💪 #EURO2016https://t.co/On043P13nd
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 28, 2016
Harry Redknapp speaks again
Harry Redknapp is racing through the gears this morning … and we can always trust Harry to address the elephant in the room.
Glenn [Hoddle] is your man. Why is Gareth the favourite and more suited? I think we have got the perfect man, Glenn fits the bill for me. He said something, but that was a long time ago. He deserves another chance.”
He said something …
Iceland clap-chant update
I think the chant the Iceland supporters do is 'UT!' literally meaning 'OUT!'.
This I guess is a variation of the old Anglo Danish 'UIT!' meaning out, or forward or attack.
Didn't go so well at Hastings in 1066, but seems to be effective for the Iceland football team. Scared the cobblers off the England football team 950 years later and also diverse TV watchers apparently.
But short of invading Iceland, why not read Amy Lawrence’s report on why Iceland’s success is a triumph to marvel at.
Now we’re beginning to see sense …
Let's just invade Iceland.
— Mr Roger Quimbly (@RogerQuimbly) June 28, 2016
Now when it comes to dishing out blame, Hodgson is certainly bearing the brunt but there’s a pretty wide-ranging assault currently in full swing, targeting players, coaches, the FA, shoddy (or a complete absence of) tactics, lack of leadership/bottle etc. I could go on, but I’ll let Chris Waddle do it for me in a quite remarkable rant that seems to suggest that Hodgson’s chosen few were actually headphones masquerading as footballers …
Now this is a rant!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 28, 2016
You can't hold back former #ENG player Chris Waddle! https://t.co/gU2fXJ8aP5 #EURO2016 https://t.co/ITico7QxYP
The FA made a short and not particularly sweet statement last night (see below) but it appears chief blazer Martin Glenn has been to the dry cleaners, collected his best grey suit and will reportedly speak at a press conference later.
Like the nation, we are disappointed to lose this evening and that our run in this tournament has come to a premature end. We had high hopes of progressing through to the latter stages of the competition and accept that we have not met our own expectations or those of the country.
We back Roy Hodgson’s decision to step down as England manager and will discuss next steps imminently. For now, we congratulate Iceland for reaching the quarter-final and wish them well against France at the weekend.
Finally, our sincere thanks go to the travelling fans for their incredible support tonight and to everyone back home for getting behind the team.”
I make no apology for bringing your attentions to this again …
Steve McClaren tempting fate on Sky Sports news pic.twitter.com/C3tOCMnYGr
— Derek (@Hoopsterdell) June 27, 2016
Hope Powell is emerging as a popular candidate
@guardian_sport @gerard_meagher Hope Powell for next England (men's) manager👍
— Ricky (@RishikSen) June 28, 2016
@guardian_sport @gerard_meagher What's Hope Powell up to these days?
— Joe (@joeripcord) June 28, 2016
Unfortunately I can’t find any odds for Powell but have discovered that Steve Evans is 100-1, as is John Terry.
Harry Redknapp rules himself out
It appears Redknapp’s brief tenure at Jordan has not reignited a flame for the England job he once coveted. Speaking to the Telegraph, he said …
You can count me out - I’ve made it clear how I’d have liked the job in the past but they aren’t going to consider me now. Roy Hodgson could not possibly have survived as England manager but I’ve got no faith whatsoever in the Football Association picking the right man to succeed him.
Can anyone trust the FA to get the right man? They gave the job to Hodgson and he has failed spectacularly for the last two tournaments, or even three if you consider Euro 2012. I’m seeing Gary Neville being made one of the favourites to succeed Hodgson but how the hell can he be considered after the job he did at Valencia? He should be culpable, he has never coached proper players and it would just be jobs for the boys if he was to be appointed.
Gareth Southgate has done a great job with the under-21s but there’s no way he is ready for the challenge of taking on the England team. We’ve got the farcical situation of Dan Ashworth picking the next England manager and I’m really not sure about his credentials either. It appears that anyone connected with West Brom seems to have a chance.
The FA are seriously going to have to pull a rabbit out of the hat because there don’t seem to be any obvious contenders out there for me.”
Here’s an image to ram home the reality of England’s departure now.
Moving pictures of #ENG's discarded lion mascot being thrown on the back of some luggage. https://t.co/t5FPWfJ8E0 pic.twitter.com/aKVf3MmJEL
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 28, 2016
Celebrity armchair supporters reaction. Warning: contains Brexit gags
Gary Lineker: took to Twitter and called the loss the “worst defeat in our history”, saying England was “beaten by a country with more volcanoes than professional footballers”. He added: “Roy Hodgson resigns as England manager. A decent and dignified man but will forever be remembered for losing to tiny Iceland.”
Peter Schmeichel: “The craziest thing I have seen in football.”
Chris Eubank Jnr: “How have we just lost to Iceland? This is like when Mike Tyson lost to Buster Douglas ... HOW!?”
Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess: “To leave Europe once may be regarded as a misfortune. To leave twice in a week looks like carelessness.”
Billy Bragg: “How long before Labour MPs start briefing that [Jeremy] Corbyn didn’t do enough to support England against Iceland tonight?”
Patrick Kielty: “Boris - probably best if you secure those borders before this England team gets home.”
Comedian and writer Dom Joly: “Didn’t expect us to be out of Europe that quickly- Farage delighted. Does anybody else suddenly feel Welsh?”
Spare a thought for …
Poor old Marcus Willis. The 25-year-old British tennis player, ranked 772nd in the world, beat the No54 in his first round match at Wimbledon yesterday to book a second-round match with Roger Federer. It’s a story that belongs on the silver screen but has been a touch overshadowed by events in Nice.
A couple of tweet have landed with a couple of suggestions as Hodgson’s successor. Names mentioned so far are not exactly a stellar cast list so the more left field the better I guess.
.@guardian_sport Zdenek Zeman!! @gerard_meagher
— Andrea3⃣4⃣BlackWhite (@squeeze9) June 28, 2016
@guardian_sport @gerard_meagher As Iceland has a Dentist as Manager, perhaps England should appoint a Proctologist
— Stefan Loew (@yogot333) June 28, 2016
Now, it would be easy to get lost in the negatives for England. To suggest that nothing positive came from last night’s fiasco. Poppycock. Take a bow, FA media suit who rattled out Hodgson’s resignation speech in a small matter of minutes – England’s only representative to keep a cool head while all those around him/her were losing theirs. Here’s the statement in full.
I’m extremely disappointed, of course, about tonight’s result and ultimately our exit from the competition. We haven’t progressed as far as I thought we were capable of, and that’s obviously not acceptable. I am actually proud of the work that my coaching staff and I have achieved in our time at the helm with England.
The transition from a squad whose average was 30 to now being the youngest in the tournament is both remarkable and exciting for the future of English football. I would have loved to stay on for another two years, however I am pragmatic and know that we are in the results business. My contract was always up after the Euros so now is the time for someone else to oversee the progress of this young, hungry and extremely talented group of players.
They’ve been fantastic and they have done everything that has been asked of them. When I arrived I was told that players didn’t turn up to play for their country or that they pull out at the last minute. But I have not seen any of that. These players love to play for their country and their commitment has been unquestioned.
Ray and Gary have asked me to speak on their behalf. They arrived with me as part of my coaching team and they’ll leave with me. I’d like to thank them for their dedicated support and for the major part they’ve played in our team preparation.
Finally I’d like to thank all the support staff, players, the FA and of course the fans. It’s been a fantastic journey these four years and it’s one I’ll look back on or remember with pride. Finally I’d like to thank you, the media, for the support that you’ve given me over the four years.
“I am sorry it’s had to end this way with another exit from the tournament but these things happen and all I can do is wish everybody all the very best and hope that you will still be able to see an England team in a final of a major tournament fairly soon. We’ve been unable to deliver. Thank you very much.”
Of course, for all of England’s agony, ineptitude and general spinelessness, there was unbridled joy for Iceland. None more so than Gudmundur Benediktsson, undoubtedly Iceland’s most famous commentator and rapidly becoming the star of Euro 2016.
Here he is in all his glory, reacting to Iceland’s historic victory.
Speaking of Steve McClaren …
This is essential viewing.
Steve McClaren tempting fate on Sky Sports news pic.twitter.com/C3tOCMnYGr
— Derek (@Hoopsterdell) June 27, 2016
Michael Dunton has been in touch with a proposal that ranks somewhere between appointing Alan Pardew and hiding under the bed for the foreseeable future.
The solution is simple. England must change its name. Look how much Iceland has improved since it was Bejam.
Steve McClaren speaks …
Of course he does. And the man speaks sense: “it’s a tough, tough job … the hardest job in football,” he tells Sky Sports News in a warning to Roy Hodgson’s successor and in a manner that suggests he’s not throwing his hat into the ring.
He’s not the only one with an opinion this morning either. Alan Shearer has simultaneously admitted his interest in the job while also backing a Gareth Southgate-Glenn Hoddle double act.
I went to see the FA four or five years ago and I said, ‘I want it, I’ll have that job’. They looked at me and said, ‘No, it’s a lack of experience’. And I said, ‘You’ve hired experienced guys, you’ve paid them an absolute fortune, I could not have done any worse than those guys’.
I’d definitely speak to them, absolutely. I would offer my experience and tournament experience. Even if Gareth Southgate got it, for him to take players in with experience who’ve been there and done it then that has to be of benefit also.
He [Southgate] fits their remit, he has been with the Under-21s, he has been around the squad so I would back Gareth Southgate if he was to go in there. But I would also look at getting experience around him like Glenn Hoddle. Glenn was brilliant as a coach for England in my opinion, he has got so much to offer and is still young enough so I would totally back Gareth and Glenn.”
Hello world! Let the Games inquest begin! It’s the morning after the night before and there are questions to be answered. England are out, humiliated by Iceland, Roy Hodgson has gone, Gary Neville and Ray Lewington have followed but at least Ray got to have a look around Paris so, every cloud …
I’ll be bringing all the reaction to Hodgson’s departure, England’s ignominy and will pledge now that this will be a Brexit pun free zone. We’ll be discussing the important issues – who will replace Hodgson, what was that clapping chant the Iceland fans were doing, did Ross Barkley miss the bus to Nice?
In the meantime though, have a read of our coverage from the match, starting with this from Barney Ronay.
Hodgson sounding like a grumpy 90 year old uncle wheeled out for the birthday party of a relative he hates.
"I don't know what I'm doing here. Why have you bought me here? I want to go home now."