Gary Neville explains why Gareth Southgate would've been annoyed with England leak

Gary Neville has shed light on the "betrayal" Gareth Southgate would have felt during Euro 2024. As England struggled through the tournament, eventually making it to the final, his starting line-up and formation would often be leaked in the media days before a match.

Pundit Neville, who was part of Roy Hodgson's coaching team during the disastrous Euro 2016 campaign, acknowledges Southgate would have been annoyed by the reporting of confidential team information. Discussing the issue of leaks on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast, Roy Keane and Ian Wright downplayed its significance.

But Neville disagreed, saying: "It was frustrating as a coach when I was with England. I'm not saying there was a massive advantage [for the opposition] but if you're going to make a change to something or make a system change, you'd like to spring that upon a team at the moment, when they find out an hour before [kick-off].

"You don't want it, if you can, getting to the opposition's coaching staff. It's very helpful to prepare for set-pieces if you know the opposition's team because you can know exactly who you're going to mark up against each other.

"To organise that an hour before, it distracts players a little bit. These are little things and you'd hope that players are able to cope with it."

Neville expressed his disappointment over players sharing crucial team information with their agents, which subsequently found its way into the media. He added: "That feeling of betrayal I used to feel with players going and telling her agents. We used to say, 'lads, please don't'. I accept they might have to tell their wife, their partner, but don't tell your agent."

Keane somewhat concurred, saying: "The annoying thing is that if you find someone untrustworthy. But it didn't bother me too much."

Meanwhile, Neville has paid tribute to Southgate, who has resigned as head coach after eight years in charge. Speaking to Sky Sports News, the ex-Manchester United defender said: "I am not surprised. I thought Gareth would call it a day.

"I think there were hints through the tournament when he was speaking that he thought it might be the time. I am not sure it is based on Sunday's result. He has had an amazing eight years and exceeded all expectations of every single England fan.

"He deserves to call it a day on his own terms, and he has done that. He knows England better than anybody. It was the right moment for him, he has done an outstanding job."