'Not important' - Gareth Southgate responds to Thomas Tuchel criticism as ex-England manager makes admission about life after Three Lions job

Southgate was in charge of the national team for eight years, during which time England reached consecutive European Championship finals and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. They also crashed out of the quarter-finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup after losing to France. Speaking about the Three Lions' Euro 2024 campaign after taking the reins, Tuchel said back in March: "They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament, in my observation, than having the excitement and hunger to win it."

Speaking to BBC Sport, the 54-year-old responded to Tuchel's criticism as he said: "I don't think it's important how I took it [Tuchel's criticism] or what I think. I think what's really important is for me to give the team, the manager, the space to operate. I think that's the right thing to do. I've had an amazing experience leading my country, but it's time for them to take it forward now and I'll be a fan at home supporting it."

Southgate also made a brutal admission about his life after quitting the coaching role as he added: "It is a little bit strange [watching the team] but also I'm not missing it. I think it's important that I am on that sofa and out of their way, you know. It's theirs to take on now and I think it's important that I give the team as much space as possible."

The ex-England boss, who has been knighted, had supposedly put his name forward for the Poland national team coaching role after Michal Probierz resigned following a bitter feud with Robert Lewandowski, but he was snubbed by the Polish FA.