Former England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed that Marcus Rashford's penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final was due to over-practising. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Southgate explained that the striker had practised 'almost too many times', making him try to be too perfect, which allowed goalkeepers to read his spot-kicks.
Southgate said Rashford had an 87% penalty record, compared to Raheem Sterling's 33%, which is why he was chosen to take a penalty despite being on the pitch for only a short time. The former England boss noted that Rashford took longer over his run-up than usual, contrary to the common problem of rushed penalties.
Following the 3-2 shootout defeat to Italy, Southgate changed England's penalty strategy. He consulted poker expert Caspar Berry who advised that playing the same hand ten times would yield eight wins. Southgate then reduced the amount of penalty practice, altered where players stood, and shortened his pre-shootout talk. This adjustment led to England winning their next shootout in 2024, which helped them reach the final against Spain.
Despite reaching back-to-back Euro finals, Southgate resigned two days after England's 2-1 loss to Spain in Euro 2024. He said the joy from victories had diminished, and he felt that continued criticism was piling pressure on the team. He also mentioned that attacks on him worried his family, leading him to keep them away from matches until the final.
The racist abuse directed at Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka after the Euro 2020 final was widely condemned. One abuser was later jailed. Southgate's tenure from September 2016 to July 2024 included memorable achievements, but he decided it was the right time to step down.
