As England and the FA debrief following Euro 2024, they have to absorb Uefa's review highlighting Luis de la Fuente's impact.
One England player of Golden Generation vintage, reflecting at the time on another tournament exit, said the players analysed the games, their preparation and tactics and concluded that failure “was just one of those things”. Fortunately, England debriefs are more sophisticated now.
As well as overseeing the search for Gareth Southgate’s successor, the FA’s technical director John McDermott will be involved in the inquest into England’s Euro 2024 performance. Uefa’s preliminary review of the tournament should be required reading.
Uefa’s technical observers yesterday posted their verdict on England’s loss in the Berlin final to Spain and it makes fascinating reading. Champions League-winning coaches like Fabio Capello and Rafa Benitez contributed. So did measured managerial minds like David Moyes, Aitor Karanka and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and distinguished former players like Ioan Lupescu, Aljosa Asanovic, Frank de Boer and Packie Bonner. Uefa representatives are not going to hammer participants but they detail calmly how the final turned against England.