Jamie Carragher has lashed out a Richard Keys after he was accused of ‘borderline racism’ for suggesting Gareth Southgate’s eventual replacement must be English.
The Three Lions’ unfortunate World Cup demise at the hands of defending champions France on Saturday has once again put Southgate’s future under the microscope.
But for Harry Kane’s waywardness from the penalty spot, Southgate may well have been preparing for a second successive World Cup semi-final, with a place in Sunday’s showpiece barred ony by underdogs Morocco.
As it is, Southgate is instead set to undertake a period of reflection before determining, along with the Football Association, whether he is the right man to spearhead England’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Speaking after the defeat against France, Southgate said: ‘I’ve found large parts of the last 18 months difficult.
‘For everything that I’ve loved about the last few weeks, I still have … how things have been for 18 months. What’s been said and what’s been written. The night at Wolves. There’s lots of things in my head that’s really conflicted at the moment.
‘What I want to make sure, if it’s the right thing to stay, is that I’ve definitely got the energy to do that.
‘I don’t want to be four or five months down the line thinking: ‘I’ve made the wrong call.’ It’s too important for everybody to get that wrong.’
The FA are already making contingency plans should Southgate call time on his reign and are ready to consider the credentials of a foreign coach with the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel both thought to be interested.
Carragher, who played under foreign England managers Seven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, is emphatic in his belief that Southgate’s successor should from these shores which led to a disparaging response from beIN Sports anchor Keys.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘What sort of nonsense is this? It borders on racism.
‘The England coach should be the best person available England should not hide behind closed borders and minds. Jamie Carragher: The England manager should ALWAYS be English.’
The former Liverpool defender was involved in a social media spat with Keys last month when the former Sky Sports host raised eyebrows at the way Carragher poked fun at CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo.
And Carragher couldn’t resist another dig back at Keys, claiming his own insult was motivated by the fact he is employed by the company who unceremoniously dumped the 65-year-old a decade ago.
He wrote: “It borders on racism” I hope you send similar tweets to a lot of journalists who have the same opinion, or is it because I work for Sky!
‘You are a sad desperate man Richard Keys.’
MORE : Former England manager says Mauricio Pochettino could be an ideal replacement for Gareth Southgate after World Cup exit
MORE : Brendan Rodgers identified as first choice by FA if Gareth Southgate resigns as England boss
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