Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has posted on social media in the aftermath of the announcement that Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager.
Ollie Watkins has had a mixed summer representing England at Euro 2024 in his first taste of a major international tournament.
The Aston Villa marksman went to Germany fresh off the back of the best season of his career but found opportunities hard to come by despite Harry Kane looking sluggish and off the pace.
Having come off the bench in the second group game against Denmark, Watkins would not feature again until the semi-final where his 90th-minute goal sent England fans into delirium and the nation into the final against Spain.
- READ MORE: The astonishing record Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins broke to send England to Euro 2024 final
With Kane again anonymous, Watkins played the last 30 minutes of the final but was on the losing side as Spain lifted the trophy.
Ollie Watkins reflects on Euro 2024 campaign with England
Watkins may very well have mixed feelings about the announcement on Tuesday morning that Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager.
On one hand, Southgate is the manager that handed Watkins his international debut and selected him for the tournament, but on the other he has been made to spend much of the summer watching on from the bench as Kane failed to make an impact.
- READ MORE: Ollie Watkins should be fuming at what Gareth Southgate has said after England lose Euro 2024 final
The Villa striker will have spent the last couple of days reflecting on the tournament and has now taken to Instagram to issue a defiant post in the wake of Southgate’s departure.
Watkins posted a picture of him with his England shirt over his face following the full-time whistle of the 2-1 defeat to Spain with the caption: ‘For a start it’s been an honour to represent my country in a major tournament, one that I won’t forget.
‘Devastated to lose in the final but I’m proud of the team for sticking together after going through so much.
The six weeks I’ve just experienced is right up there and I’ve made some brothers for life.
Thanks for the love and support. We go again’.
Watkins should keep England place regardless of next manager
There is already speculation over who the next England manager could be, with names such as Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino all touted.
One surprise option reportedly likely to be considered is former Villa manager Steven Gerrard but, given his failure at Villa Park and the fact he has spent the last year in Saudi Arabia, this seems unlikely.
One thing that is for certain, though, is that Watkins should remain part of the England set-up.
The 28-year-old has turned into an elite centre-forward under Unai Emery and showed he can make his mark at international level with his last-gasp winner against the Netherlands in the Euros semi-final.
If Kane is unable to refind his form, perhaps Watkins could earn himself the outright starting spot for his country under a new manager.
