Popular football analyst Richard Keys would love to see England head coach Gareth Southgate replaced immediately by Jurgen Klopp, after complaining about performance levels at Euro 2024.
England managed to finish top of Group C despite only winning one game, and are yet to dominate through 90 minutes.
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Serbia to start the tournament, but a 1-1 draw against Denmark followed before a bore 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
The Three Lions completed their goal of finishing top of the group, but Southgate has faced major criticism for his style of play and lack of imagination.
Keys admitted to feeling “depressed” watching England and has called for an instant change of head coach mid-tournament.
“I’m so depressed, I thought that was so miserable once again tonight,” he said on beIN Sports following the 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
Keys was then asked by former Netherlands midfielder Ruud Gullit if he would sack Southgate, and the analyst didn’t hesitate to answer.
“I’m at a point where if I were able to make that decision, yes, I probably would because I think we are going nowhere double quick. We’re here to win it. That, what I’ve seen tonight, that’s not winning the next game, let alone this tournament.”
Keys was quick to mention Klopp’s name when speculating a potential replacement, but with the former Liverpool coach on a break from soccer, he instead proposed Harry Redknapp, a coach who was linked with the England job for years. “Harry Redknapp’s sat in Dubai tonight, give him a call,” Keys added.
“[Jurgen] Klopp won’t do it but Harry, you think he’d be on a plane tomorrow morning? Too right he would!” Klopp departed Liverpool after nine years at the end of last season and is taking a break from coaching as he considers his next move.
Klopp did the same thing when leaving Borussia Dortmund, announcing he would be taking a sabbatical when confirming his exit following the 2014-15 season. However, his break lasted just four months as Liverpool fired Brendan Rodgers and identified Klopp as the ideal replacement.
The German isn’t retiring from coaching, but admitted he wants to continue at a slower pace which had led to rumors he’s contemplating an international role.
Klopp has also been linked with both Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent years, and speculation over a Spanish role has increased after a recent podcast appearance.
Speaking to the Willipedia podcast (translation via BILD), Klopp said:
“‘I’ve dreamed of having a house in the south (Spain) all my life. I like the weather, and the climate, I like the people. There are lots of things I like here and also people I already know. It’s not like I’m looking for new friends. I already have friends for life, and if some of them are here too, that’s cool.”
