Gareth Southgate hits out at media over England formation switch ‘leaks’ ahead of crunch clash with Switzerland – as Three Lions boss asks ‘how does this help us?’

Gareth Southgate has criticised the press after reports surfaced ahead of England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland about his tactical set-up.

Southgate opted to switch formation to 3-4-3 from a 4-2-3-1 on Saturday, starting Ezri Konsa in a back three alongside Kyle Walker and John Stones. 

England went on to win the game 5-3 on penalties, after the score was 1-1 following extra time.

While the jury is out whether this will be the formula that propels England to Euro 2024 glory, Southgate fumed that the press were ‘making things more difficult’, and threatening to give away the team’s tactical advantage.

In a post-match interview with talkSPORT, Southgate told of his exasperation after speculation about switching tactics was rife, with press having attended a closed-doors training session earlier in the week. 

Southgate claimed leaks like these won’t be helpful to England’s chances of Euro 2024 glory

‘You’re trying to win a football tournament and your own media is leaking tactical information two hours after we walk off the training pitch,’ Southgate told the reporter.

‘They’ll excuse it as they’ve got it from within the camp, which clearly they have, but how does this help the team? 

‘How does this help us, when it gives the Swiss three days to work out what we might do? 

‘I have to say it, because it’s difficult, this is the environment we’re working in. It’s more difficult than it should be… but we keep going.’

The reporter suggested leaks were coming from elsewhere within the camp, too, asking if the England manager can stop players from speaking to their agents. 

‘I don’t see that as being the problem,’ Southgate responded, curtly.

Back in the talkSPORT studios, pundits Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara dissected Southgate’s interview, arguing about whether it really mattered or not.

Cundy broke the situation down, saying: ‘During a behind-closed-doors training session, these press guys saw the set-up on the pitch and read into it. 

‘The thing is with these guys, they all want to get the first story out – that’s their job.’ 

He went on to claim it should not in fact affect England performance, as it’s an eventuality. 

Presenter Jason Cundy believes while potentially damaging, leaks shouldn’t affect the team

Co-host Jamie O’Hara believes otherwise, countering it gives away the element of surprise

‘It’s impossible to stop it,’ Cundy says, ‘And it is damaging, but ultimately, this is the truth – even if they know the team, so what?’

O’Hara quickly interjected, refuting his point by saying, ‘You say so what, but if the Swiss think you’re playing 4-2-3-1 and all of a sudden you’re playing 3-4-3, the first 15 minutes you blitz them, you caught them unaware!’

‘So what!’, Cundy insisted – before a caller listening into the conversation laughed in response, as they said: ‘You’re the funniest guy in the world, Cundy.’