England boss Gareth Southgate facing chaos due to WAG drama as Euro 2024 clash with Denmark looms

England Gareth Southgate Denmark Euro 2024

England boss Gareth Southgate is facing the prospect of WAG chaos ahead of his side's Euro 2024 clash with Denmark

REUTERS
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 19/06/2024

- 09:37

Updated: 19/06/2024

- 09:42

The Three Lions are currently preparing for Thursday's clash in Frankfurt

Gareth Southgate has long made it clear he doesn't want any WAG distractions as he looks to steer England to Euro 2024 glory this summer.

However, it appears the 53-year-old is unlikely to get his wish as Thursday's crunch clash with Denmark at the Frankfurt Arena creeps closer.


Southgate has brought harmony to this England side ever since replacing Sam Allardyce back in 2016.

Scandals and stories involving the wives and girlfriends of players have been non-existent, with Southgate doing everything in his power to make sure there's no negative distractions at major tournaments.

England Gareth Southgate Denmark Euro 2024

England boss Gareth Southgate is facing the prospect of WAG chaos ahead of his side's Euro 2024 clash with Denmark

REUTERS

Yet that could be set to change.

Earlier this year, Walker fronted up and admitted to fathering two children with influencer Lauryn Goodman, despite being married to childhood sweetheart Annie Kilner.

Annie was spotted in the stands on Sunday as England beat Serbia 1-0, with Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham scoring the only goal of the game in Gelsenkirchen.

While Annie attended the match, Lauryn was seen playing football with her children - with the pair both dressed in Walker's No 2 shirt to mark Father's Day.

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Annie plans to attend more England matches this summer as the Three Lions look to end 58 years of hurt.

But there could be an awkward encounter with Lauryn, who apparently has tickets for England's match with Slovenia on June 25.

The Sun say Lauryn plans on going to the game, despite the controversy surrounding her fling with Walker.

WAG chaos is the last thing Southgate needs at a time when he's hoping to guide England to victory.

Defeat in the final of Euro 2020 still rankles with the 53-year-old, whose side missed out on the trophy following a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Italy.

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Back in 2006, England WAGS proved to be a distraction with the likes of Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Tweedy and Alex Curran often appearing in the papers.

Rio Ferdinand later said the WAG culture 'made us a circus' at the tournament, with England crashing out in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout defeat to Portugal.

And Southgate will hope nothing happens if Lauryn and Annie's paths do cross in Germany in the coming days.

A source has told the Daily Mail, meanwhile, that Annie won't ever let Lauryn 'dictate her and her children's movements'.

"Annie flew out to Germany to support Kyle and the team and will continue to do so," they told the newspaper.

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England Kyle Walker Annie Kilner

England star Kyle Walker was cheered on by wife Annie Kilner as the Three Lions beat Serbia on Sunday night

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"England matches are at the forefront of the country's mind and Annie and the boys stand behind the boys and want as little distraction off the pitch as possible so as to give the boy the best chance of bringing home the trophy.

"She has and well never let Lauryn will not dictate her and her children's movements and wasn't surprised to see these new pictures - which she predicted would happen a couple of months ago, she thinks these new set up pap pics, on the day of the first match and, coincidentally, fathers day are a sad attempt at staying relevant.

"The fact innocent children are being used in the public spat is saddening."

They added: "She doesn't pay much attention to the noise around her and her husband's marriage and is working privately with Kyle to navigate the office pitch issues.

"Being in the public eye is something they understand due to Kyle's role in football so she just gets on with it, always with her children at the forefront of her mind."

Lauryn Goodman

England star Kyle Walker admitted to fathering two children with Lauryn Goodman earlier this year

GETTY

Annie and Walker have four children of their own together.

The insider continued: "Annie will only ever put her children first, her and Kyle absolutely agree that they are the priority with everything that has gone on between them.

"Bringing them to matches is something they've been a part of their whole lives and nothing will change that.

"Kyle remains locked down at England camp and geared up in doing his absolute best to help the team bring home the trophy. He's a hugely valued member of the squad and proud of his role as Vice Captain."

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