Gary Neville has said that England fans should be proud of their countries achievement, despite their elimination from the World Cup, insisting that the Three Lions have overachieved this summer.
The Three Lions’ run to the last four of the World Cup would have been beyond most fans wildest imagination three weeks ago. However, now they have been dumped out, some fans are feeling that all so familiar sense of disappointment in the national team, who have only ever reached one final of a major tournament, and that was back in 1966.
Speaking on ITV though, former Manchester United and England star Gary Neville has reminded fans of what was expected of Gareth Southgate’s side going into the tournament:
“This team have taken us to a place we never thought we’d ever imagine we’d get. England had never overachieved, but this team have in reaching the semi-final. They’ve taken a nation with them. I never thought we’d see the scenes in the fan parks.
“We did say before the game that these lads will have to take the opportunity now as it may never happen again. All I hope as I look at them now is that they get another opportunity as huge as this again.
“The youth teams have done well and have started to win tournaments. English football has taken an absolute battering over the years, on and off the pitch, it has been ridiculed.
“I have to say, for the first time this is an England team that for the first time have played with some level of composure and control in games, it has been high quality, and good watching them.
“But the reality of it is, you think of the Premier League, 30 per cent are English. English coaches don’t get the top jobs in England. I just hope this has put more faith in English football. This has lifted everybody.
“They’re the youngest team in the tournament, I hope they have the opportunity again with 20 minutes to go from a World Cup final. They’ve brought everyone with them. Three weeks ago, there wasn’t even a connection with the England football team. People looked upon it with some sort of despair. Now, everyone has loved the last three weeks and everyone can be proud of that.”
