England boss Gareth Southgate has warned against an “entitlement we have as a nation that creates drama and annoys our opponents” before Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland (17:00 BST).
The Three Lions are two wins from the final after avoiding favourites Spain and France on the other side of the draw, meaning England cannot meet them before the showpiece in Berlin on 14 July.
On the eve of the last-eight match with Switzerland – live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app – BBC sports editor Dan Roan asked Southgate whether England need to take the opportunity of being in the perceived easier side of the draw.
“We are playing a really strong football nation who have played exceptionally well, have enormous pride,” said Southgate, who takes charge of his 100th game as boss.
“I would say that is a classic example of the entitlement we have as a nation that creates drama and annoys our opponents.
“Our focus is on how do we win this game and how do we play to the best of our ability? We have never been to a final outside England, we have only had two finals in our history, three semi-finals.
“So lots of nations who we might perceive as English people to be smaller have far better records than us in terms of winning things, in getting to the latter stages in finals.
“It’s half of the problem we have. We’re ready for tomorrow and, as a team, we have huge respect for our opponents.”
‘We’re in a different place mentally’
England were seconds away from going out of Euro 2024 when Jude Bellingham scored a 95th-minute equaliser against Slovakia in the last 16.
Harry Kane then headed the winner in extra time to set up the quarter-final with Switzerland in Dusseldorf, with the winners facing the Netherlands or Turkey in the semis on Wednesday, 10 July (20:00 BST).
England have produced four under-whelming performances at Euro 2024 but Southgate said he expected better against the Swiss.
“I feel that the team, even in training, now look in a different place mentally, they look more fluid,” he added.
“The longer the players are here, the more belief they have, the less they are being affected by what’s outside. They can see the opportunity.
“Every game can take you on a journey, like the game the other night. We have to deliver tomorrow, we have to be ready to go until the last minute again, dig deep in the moments that you have to.
“They are highly motivated guys and can see the possibility of a semi-final. There is a buzz about them and they are excited to take that challenge on.”
‘I’m not worried about job speculation’
With some fans venting their anger over the team’s displays in Germany, Southgate’s position has come under scrutiny.
In February, the Football Association made it clear they were keen for him to remain in charge beyond Euro 2024.
But Southgate, who steered England to the 2018 World Cup semi-final, the Euro 2020 final as well as a World Cup quarter-final in 2022, has yet to sign a new contract, with his current deal due to expire in December.
There has been speculation about his future after the tournament – whether England win it or not.
“If you are in one of the most high-profile jobs in world football then there is always going to be speculation, always going to be assessment of what is going on,” said Southgate.
“I’m not worried. When I was a young manager you are worried if the first job doesn’t go well you will never get another job. You worry about failing and getting the sack.
“I’m older, I’m not worried about losing, what might go wrong. We have an opportunity tomorrow to get to another semi-final.
“It’s about going for it now.”
