Gareth Southgate removed his runners-up medal shortly after stepping off the podium (Reuters)
England’s players and Gareth Southgate immediately removed their runners-up medals following their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday evening.
Mikel Oyarzabal’s goal in the 86th minute handed Spain victory their fourth European Championship win after Cole Palmer’s equaliser had cancelled out Nico Williams’ opener.
England’s players were distraught at the full-time whistle and looked inconsolable as they walked up to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferinto collect their medals ahead of Spain’s presentation ceremony.
England suffer Euro 2024 final heartbreak to Spain – as it happened
But it appeared that the emotions of the defeat to Spain were too raw for some of England’s players, who opted to quickly take off their medals once they were hung around their necks.
Palmer, who scored that brilliant equaliser for England, hadn’t even walked past the European Championship trophy by the time he had taken off his medal.
Jude Bellingham did not hang about in taking off his medal (EPA)
Gareth Southgate has now lost two consecutive European Championship finals with England (Reuters)
Similarly, Jude Bellingham and Kobbie Mainoo took off their medals before even leaving the podium.
Southgate was barely away from the podium before his runners-up medal was off his neck, while Kyle Walker also decided to quickly remove his medal.
Cole Palmer was one of the quickest to take off his medal (Getty)
Kyle Walker took off his medal with Gareth Southgate close behind (Reuters)
Questions will now be raised over Southgate’s future with the national team.
The 52-year-old indicated before the tournament that this could be his last major competition with England if they failed to succeed.
When asked about his future following the defeat to Spain, Southgate said: ‘I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that. I’m going to talk to the right people and, yeah, it’s just not for now.
‘I think England are in a really good position in terms of the experiences they’ve got now, the age of the squad. Most of this squad are going to be around not just for the World Cup but the next Euros as well.
‘There’s a lot to look forward to but at this moment that’s not any consolation.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.