IT BEGINS NOW
Change is on its way. The country has been pleading for it, anything to stop the spread of stagnation, everything to shake up the established order. Gareth Southgate appears to have listened. In this moment of desperation, the England manager is apparently set to pay an old friend a visit, one who provided him the happiest of times before a falling out three years ago, when things didn’t work out at Wembley against Italy. Why hello again, Back Three.
Reports suggest that Southgate is finally shifting his focus from changing Declan Rice’s midfield partner every 30 seconds to a more radical makeover, with Ezri Konsa potentially joining Kyle Walker and John Stones in a three-man central defence. It makes sense, returning to joyful memories to manage the present, this being the shape that instigated a run to the semi-finals of the World Cup six years ago. Back Southgate goes to that summer, to those early days of promise and punishing Panama, to heatwaves and hope, to when he seemed to be universally loved, to Ashley Young at left wing-back.
Why limit yourself to a shift in formation? Surely, it’s also worth digging into the back of the cupboard and returning to the look that did wonders for M&S. Get the waistcoat out. “This year, it will be more short-sleeved knits than a suit and tie, because we’re trying to create a relaxed environment,” Southgate told GQ before this tournament when explaining his sartorial choices. “When you’re working with young lads, you don’t want to be too stiff – in what you’re doing or wearing.” With all due respect, Gareth, you’re at the business end now. The time for houseplants and acoustic covers is over. Strap on the three-piece and roar like you’ve just won on penalties against Colombia. (In moderation, though; don’t let Jude get carried away.)
Switzerland, obviously, will hope there’s been a mix-up at the dry-cleaners. Murat Yakin’s boys weren’t far off beating Germany and brushed aside the defending champions, but perhaps more troubling than their opposition on Saturday is that scary phenomenon called history. The last eight is as good as it gets for the Swiss, the barrier they’ve never crossed at the World Cup or Euros, where a shootout loss to Spain in the 2021 quarters was their best finish. But they’ve developed a giant-killing rep, which makes a meeting with the out-of-nick favourites thoroughly tantalising. They won’t easily roll over.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Barry Glendenning from 5pm BST for hot MBM quarter-final coverage of Spain 0-0 Germany (aet, 4-5 on pens), before Scott Murray is on deck at 8pm for Portugal 0-0 France (aet, 3-2 on pens).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
It’s an urgent situation. We cannot let our country fall into the hands of these people. It is pressing. We saw the results, it’s catastrophic. We really hope it’s going to change: that everyone is going to rally together, go and vote, and vote for the correct party” – France talisman Kylian Mbappé laments the performance of National Rally in the French elections, before Sunday’s crunch runoff vote.
EURO 2024 DAILY LETTERS
Of course, I get my all information needs from Big Website (ahem), but I did chance upon this wondrous piece in the latest Economist on England fans following the team in Gelsenkirchen, which has the only opening paragraph you will ever see that combines John Stones, needless swearing and former West German Chancellor W1lly Brandt. As I believe the youngsters say these days, ‘hang it in the Louvre’” – Noble Francis.
Re: yesterday’s Euro 2024 letters. Maybe you can make it a family affair and give letter o’ the day to Mark Matics’ brother Otto. A popular choice, I’d wager, given he is for the people. The other unsuccessful correspondents have to understand that everybody hurts … some times” – Derek McGee.
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s letter o’ the day winner is … Derek McGee, who wins our final copy of Euro Summits: The Story of the Uefa European Championships 1960 to 2016, courtesy of Pitch Publishing. Visit their bookshop here. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.