Harry Kane sends message to Gareth Southgate about England job

Harry Kane has admitted that he wants Gareth Southgate to remain as England manager following the 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.

The Three Lions were eliminated in the last eight for a record seventh time at World Cups, with goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud enough to take defending champions France through to the last four.

Kane scored a penalty for England early in the second half – bringing the scores level in the process – but missed another six minutes from time as he fired over Hugo Lloris’ crossbar.

England were unable to fashion a clear-cut opportunity after that, leaving France to advance and take on shock semi-finalists Morocco for a place in the final against either Argentina or Croatia.

After the game, Southgate refused to guarantee that he’d be in charge of England moving forward, and suggested that he needed to time to “review and reflect” on how the Three Lions had performed at the tournament.

But having already spoken about his disappointment at missing England’s second penalty, Kane was steadfast in his backing for Southgate and confirmed he wants him the 52-year-old to remain in charge.

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“That’s down to him [whether he stays].” Kane told ITV. “We’ve loved having him as a manager, I think he’s been incredible, when you see where he’s taken us from to where we are now, it’s an amazing leap.

“I think we all hope he stays, but that’s his decision, obviously he’ll go away and review that, but before we know it we’ll be getting ready for a Euros.”

Southgate himself told the media that he felt England deserved better on the night, with many onlookers agreeing that the overall performance was good.

“Well I think the performance did [deserve better],” Southgate said. “Goals are decisive but I’ve just said to the players in there, I don’t think they can give anymore, they did well against a top team.

“It’s fine margins, things at both ends of the pitch have decided the game I think the way they’ve progressed through the tournament has been fantastic.”