Rory Smith
Chief Soccer Correspondent for The New York Times

Image source, PA Media

I'm not sure what Gareth Southgate's natural landing point will be in the Premier League. I say this as someone who thinks he has done a really good job with England, but I don't think it is with a top six club.

I think those clubs would find more compelling candidates. I guess you're looking at Leicester, West Ham, Everton, that sort of level.

But the problem is Southgate has a reputation wrongly for being a relatively cautious manager. So I don't know how popular an appointment he would be for those clubs.

I don't know how sexy an appointment he is.

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The Real Alan: People saying Southgate failed because England "should have won" are naive and disrespect France. Did you all bet your life savings on an England win? Was it that certain in your minds? It’s a tournament, the deeper you go the more it hinges on crucial moments.

France

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France manager Didier Deschamps on defender Dayot Upamecano's development:

"Upamecano did have an issue with his mental strength that prevented him from becoming the top player he could be. He has managed to overcome those challenges, he now feels more relaxed and more confident.

"That has helped him reach this level to show all the qualities he has. He is very fit, he can try to do too much with his passing but he listens to advice.

"He is relaxed and happy. Some players, who can be more shy or introverted like him, need more time to develop. But I am convinced when a player has potential it will end up flourishing.

"Yes he has gone through challenging times, but he is now more relaxed and confident, showing he is a top player."

Rory Smith
Chief Soccer Correspondent for The New York Times

Image source, Reuters

Where would Gareth Southgate go next? That's a really big question because it's not a brilliant time to be a manager on the market.

We don't know what his ambitions for the rest of his career are.

If he wants to manage a club then there are no clubs available and you have Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Enrique [in the market for jobs].

France

More from France boss Didier Deschamps:

"We won the World Cup four years ago playing our style, which proved very effective, but you can play other ways.

"We need to adapt to the opponent, adapt to the players we are facing and those we have in our squad.

"The objective of our technical team is to get the best out of each and every player - as individuals but also collectively as a team, which is made up of 24 players."

Zookeeper: Successful teams have a "midfield general" - Modric, Griezmann for example - who can control the game. Until England can produce such a player, it doesn’t matter who the manager is.

France

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More from France boss Didier Deschamps on Antoine Griezmann:

"He has had a great tournament and we will need him to be just as good tomorrow. He is playing a different role in this World Cup and it suits him very well.

"With his left foot he is so gifted and creates chances for others. He is always thinking of the team. He is extremely hard working but has been an elite player for 10 years now.

"He has had some tough times, as every player does, but he is mentally strong. Like all good players he plays his best against good teams."

France

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More from France manager Didier Deschamps: "Morocco is in the semi-final. I don't like the term hostile for the environment because that is negative. They have great support, which is useful to them.

"It is very noisy and my staff have told the players about that. It is not going to score you goals, but it is great to have such loud support.

"When you prepare for a match you have to prepare for the atmosphere - my players know what to expect."

Jajc: Southgate is the most overrated manager bar none. He has consistently failed to utilise the undoubted talent in our squad. His use of substitutes in the France game epitomises the reasons for his failures.

France

France manager Didier Deschamps on his team's World Cup performance:

"They haven't surprised me. I have seen them day to day living together. Results are everything. Some did not have a great deal of experience - this is the first World Cup for some, so you never know how they are going to react to the pressure of competition.

"The emotion can overcome you. But we have some experienced players as well and it is a very good spirit in the camp. What brings us together is the fact we are achieving results on the pitch and that is what has got us through to the semi-finals."

France

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Didier Deschamps is all smiles this morning.

Ashley: Although he garners support for going long during successive campaigns, there is a gnawing feeling that Southgate simply does not have the tactical nous needed to take England to the summit. I would wish him well but England need to find a winner. He is not that man. And, one suspects, never really was.

France

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More from Lloris:

"In the preparation you need to remain calm and focussed. But there are no secrets. We are going to have to perform. That comes from working hard together, being mentally strong and scoring more goals than your opponents. That is what football comes down to.

"It is going to be a raucous atmosphere, tough to concentrate, but we have to remain focused and be very precise in terms of our tactical discussions before and during the match. We are all very excited and looking forward to representing our country as well as we can.

"We need to ensure we are patient but at the same time go for it and try to break them down as early as possible in the match, while staying balanced to avoid being hit on the counter-attack."

Tottenham play at Brentford in a London derby on 26 December. You can be sure Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris will have hugged it out by then.

France

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More from Lloris on Wednesday's World Cup semi-final:

"It is a unique opportunity for both sides to get to the final. Obviously, it is already a success for Morocco but believe me they won't want to stop here.

"They want to become even more of a hero for their country. We prepare to respond to the demands of a semi-final of a World Cup, it doesn't matter the opponent.

"We try to put all our strength into this game to make sure we do not have any regrets."

Bodie: Southgate has made critical errors at crucial times on several occasions, England will never win anything under him unless the Home Nations tournament is brought back.

France

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More from Hugo Lloris, who is speaking in Qatar, about Harry Kane following the England striker's missed penalty against France:

"We had a text after the game. It was not easy to find the words. He needed some time to rest.

"It's a difficult time for the England national team and Harry, but I think he can be proud of what he has done for the national team.

"In football history many top players have missed penalties in their career - Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo - but I have no doubt Harry will keep his chin up and help Tottenham and the national team to shine."

France

Standby for some interesting quotes from Hugo Lloris about Harry Kane. The France keeper says he texted his Tottenham team-mate after England's 2-1 quarter-final defeat on Saturday.

"It was not easy to find the words," he says.

Image source, Reuters

Paul Jones: If Gareth Southgate stays he could be the English Roberto Martinez. Belgium should have done better than a 3rd place finish at a major tournament with the talent they possessed.

France

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More from France keeper Hugo Lloris on Morocco:

"They have beaten Belgium, Spain and Portugal and finished first in a very tough group - that tells you they are a quality side and will be tough opponents.

"It will be a hostile atmosphere inside the stadium but we are ready for anything.

"We have to show we are ready to raise the level and step up to the plate - we will need to be at the top of our game."