Kyle Walker has revealed Gareth Southgate convinced him to continue playing for England after the 2022 World Cup.
The Three Lions have the chance to seal European Championship glory this Sunday as they take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, live on talkSPORT.
It’s the second Euros in a row that Southgate’s side have reached the final, but this time they’ll be wanting to go all the way and bring football home.
England suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Italy at Euro 2020, a tournament that was followed by a tough 2-1 defeat to France in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Now, Southgate has led England to a golden opportunity to achieve redemption – and Walker credits the Three Lions boss for ensuring he has been part of it.
When asked about his boss’ future beyond Sunday’s result, the Manchester City defender told talkSPORT’s England correspondent Faye Carruthers: “He decides his own destiny. I think he’s earned the right to decide what he wants to do.
“Not many managers can say they’ve achieved in an England shirt what he’s achieved. So whatever Gareth would like to do, that’s down to him.
“He’s convinced me to carry on after Qatar. So maybe I ask in return, or for the favour, for him to carry on.
“But again, he’s the boss, he’s the gaffer and he needs to make sure that he gets to decide his own destiny.”
There has been plenty of speculation and debate over whether Southgate will or should stay as England boss after the tournament, with reports of potential replacements swirling over the last few months.
After arriving in 2016 as a temporary replacement for Sam Allardyce, Southgate has gone on to take charge of 201 England games, picking up the pieces after the woes of that Iceland defeat at Euro 2016 and transforming the national team to reach three major tournament semi-finals, and now, two finals.
He’s been tipped to be given a knighthood regardless of the outcome of the Euro 2024 final, despite England stuttering through the group stages and not looking their best on occasions.
Asked how much being in another major final is down to the former Middlesbrough boss, Walker – who, alongside John Stones, is the only player left from Southgate’s first ever game – said: “I think everyone associated with the last seven years of him taking control is the reason we’re here.
“He always says, and I think it’s a vital moment, the Joe Hart save in one of his first games in charge, if Joe doesn’t pull that save, does he get the job?
“Things happen in football, certain things and certain scenarios play out that is kind of your destiny. Since he’s come into the fold, he’s put his own stamp [on the team].
“I think the togetherness has been a massive, massive part because we’re all great players, we play in a great league and we all play for top teams, but to gel and take the club hat off and put your England hat on, in normal circumstances and with past players, that has been hard.
“He’s done that tremendously well and he deserves full credit for it.”
Southgate himself has previously admitted that Hart’s saves in the 0-0 draw with Slovenia in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers might have been the reason he was handed the job full-time.
Now, almost eight years on, Southgate, Walker and the rest of the England squad are one win away from securing their first piece of silverware together.
The former Sheffield United star faces a tough battle against nippy Spain winger Nico Williams this Sunday, and he admitted just how impressed he’s been by his next opponent’s incredible speed.
La Roja haven’t had quite as long as England to wait for another major trophy, with their last title triumph coming at Euro 2012.
Meanwhile, their women’s team saw off England to win the 2023 World Cup.
The Lionesses achieved Euro glory in 2022. Now, the men’s side will be looking to end their 58-year wait for a trophy – when England lifted the World Cup on home soil in 1966.
Many members of the team that came painfully close to ending that drought in 2021 have missed out this time round, including Walker’s Man City teammate Jack Grealish and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
But Walker says the togetherness of Southgate’s England is best personified by the fact some of those who didn’t make the cut are rumoured to be in attendance for the final this Sunday.
“I’ve heard some of them are coming out to support us which I think shows great credit to them as individuals,” Walker said.
“Obviously not being here is always a big disappointment, but I think that just shows the togetherness that we have, that they still want to come and support.
“I know a lot of players would probably be sat at home sulking, wishing they were there, but they want to share that moment and listen, if we win, I’m sure they’ll be in the dressing room celebrating as well because they deserve it and they’ve been a part of this.”
The 34-year-old Walker has already had a glittering career, picking up a whopping six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown with Man City, as well as two FA Cup and four League Cup medals in his collection.
But Walker says that if he could choose, he would happily swap some of those honours for the Euro 2024 trophy with his country – without hesitation.
He said: “I was saying to H [Harry Kane] this morning, not all the trophies that I won for Manchester City, I’d like to keep one of each.
“But every other one I’d quite happily swap for this one, without a question.”
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday as England bid to make history against Spain. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the build-up.
News Summary:
- ‘Full credit’ – Kyle Walker hopes to repay Gareth Southgate with Euro glory after inspiring key moment in England career
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