Channel 4 pundits laugh off awkward Gareth Southgate moment in England interview
Channel 4's punditry team had a moment to forget when they ran out of questions for England boss Gareth Southgate.
England's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign ended on Monday night with a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia in Skopje. Enis Bardhi opened the scoring just before half-time for the hosts before Jani Atanasov put the ball through his own net in the 59th minute.
England had already qualified for Euro 2024, but their draw on Monday means they will receive a top seeding for next summer's tournament in Germany. They have finished top of Group C, six points clear of runners-up and defending champions Italy.
Southgate spoke to Channel 4's punditry team after his team's draw against North Macedonia. He was asked a several questions before presenter Jules Breach said "yeah" and looked at pundit Joe Cole, who was supposed to ask the next question.
"So you didn't ask... what are you doing for Christmas?" Chelsea legend Cole awkwardly asked Southgate before everyone, including fellow pundit Joleon Lescott, started laughing. "What are you doing!?" the Three Lions manager asked in response.
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Cole then tried to justify his bizarre question. He said as everyone laughed: "She threw it to me there and I didn't have a question! So I thought I'd just ask you that!"
Jokes aside, Southgate was pleased with his team's performance against North Macedonia - despite some criticism from fans and journalists. He told Channel 4: "The really big results were in March, winning in Italy and the result against Ukraine (a victory).
Joe Cole's strange question left the England boss in stitches (Channel 4)What were your thoughts on England's display against North Macedonia? Let us know in the comments below!
"It meant coming here tonight was a different test, given we've qualified and everything was achieved. The mentality of the players was excellent, the quality with the ball was good on a very difficult pitch and a lot of positive performances."
Southgate was also happy with Rico Lewis' performance. The Manchester City youngster gave away a penalty in the first half, a refereeing decision that was described as "ridiculous" by Gary Lineker. Southgate had a similar opinion to the Match of the Day host.
The England manager said: "He (Lewis) was excellent, his composure with the ball, the fact that he did respond to that set-back (the penalty), which was really, really harsh. He is a super footballer, he was excellent I thought and we're really pleased with him."
Southgate is now looking forward to the draw. "The next exciting bit is the draw at the beginning of December and we will see what the path looks like and there are a lot of players to keep a track on," he added. "Trent (Alexander-Arnold) again did an excellent job in midfield, Rico, Cole Palmer, there's plenty for me to think about."
Southgate is expected to step down from his role after Euro 2024 and will be desperate to end a 58-year wait for a major honour in Germany. England lost the Euro 2020 final in July 2021, which is the closest they've come to glory since winning the World Cup in 1966.
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