Jude Bellingham ‘lost it’ with England boss Gareth Southgate at one crucial moment in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final defeat, according to reports.
The Three Lions had their silverware dream brought to a crushing end as Spain ran out 2-1 victors in Berlin to claim a stunning victory inside 90 minutes.
Bellingham endured a difficult tournament on a personal level and looked to be struggling with fatigue in the final as Spain dominated the midfield battle in the second half.
The 21-year-old went into the tournament off the back of a stunning first season at Real Madrid that ended with three trophies including the Champions League and was one of the key players in England’s team.
Bellingham and Southgate appear to share a close and respectful player-coach relationship, but played out a heated confrontation in the closing moments of the Euro 2024 final, as reported by ESPN’s Mark Ogden.
Jude Bellingham fumed at Gareth Southgate after it was claimed the midfielder ‘lost it’ with the England boss
Southgate substituted captain Harry Kane in the second half after he struggled to make an impression.
Bellingham and Southgate appeared to clash while England trailed Spain at the Olympiastadion.
Southgate kept Kane in the starting lineup despite his recent poor performances. However, he was replaced by Ollie Watkins with 30 minutes left.
Bellingham chastised England’s manager for not making the move sooner, as Kane proved ineffective against Spain’s formidable defence, which was only penetrated once, when Cole Palmer equalized in the second half.
Ogden characterized Bellingham’s angry exchange with Southgate, adding, ‘Jude Bellingham was becoming frustrated, I’m not sure if it came over on video.
‘Just before Kane was substituted, Bellingham lost it with Gareth Southgate on the sideline, urging “change something, do something,” and Kane was replaced.
‘England played so much better after Kane was replaced by Watkins, and then by Cole Palmer,’ he added.
The England and Madrid star was crushed at the final whistle, as Spain celebrated their victory and the Three Lions bemoaned yet another missed opportunity to win their first major men’s title since 1966.
Bellingham exhibited his leadership skills by rallying behind his heartbroken colleagues, who were crying on the pitch while waiting for their runners-up medals.
The Stourbridge-born superstar returned to London on Monday with other England players and will now enjoy some well-deserved rest before reporting for pre-season training.
Southgate’s future as manager of the Three Lions is uncertain, therefore the next time he goes on international duty, he might be headed by a different manager.
Southgate offers tactical advice to Bellingham as England battles to overcome Spain.
The 53-year-old has led England to four major events since 2016, including two appearances in the European Championship final, both of which they lost.
Southgate faced criticism at Euro 2024 following a bad group stage and difficult knockout stages, during which Bellingham saved England by scoring in the last minutes of their round of 16 encounter against Slovakia.
The English Football Association expressed interest in keeping him in charge of the future World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in two years.
However, various successor options may now be examined as critics call for Southgate’s resignation after failing to produce silverware.