Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed he regrets not bringing in a psychologist to help England players deal with the pressure of penalty shootouts during his time as manager of the national side.
The Three Lions will go up against Spain on Sunday night looking to win Euro 2024, having reached the final with a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Thursday night.
Last Saturday, England beat Switzerland via penalties after a 1-1 draw.
It was the second time they've won a shootout under Southgate, having previously done so against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup.
Euro 2024: Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed he regrets not bringing in a psychologist to help England players deal with the pressure of penalty shootouts during his time as manager of the national side
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England did lose the Euro 2020 final on penalties three years ago, with Italy reigning supreme that night.
But with Three Lions players scoring all 13 of their last spot-kicks since Harry Kane's missed effort at the 2022 World Cup, it's clear they've improved.
Eriksson, writing in his column for the Telegraph, admits he never thought he'd see the day that England were so good at penalties.
England lost to Portugal twice in that manner during his time in charge, in 2004 and 2006 respectively.
And the Swede, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year, has admitted he 'regrets' not bringing in a psychologist to help his players deal with the pressure.
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"I still hope the final does not go to penalties like the Italy match and is settled in normal or extra time," he said.
"If there are penalties, though, there is absolutely no fear.
"I never thought I would see the day when England were so good at penalties. During my time, before it, and even a little bit after it, we were not good at them.
"At Euro 2004, we lost against Portugal on penalties and then to them again at the 2006 World Cup.
"It felt like the pressure on every player was just too high. It was like a mental block.
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"One of my biggest regrets as England manager is that I did not appoint a psychologist to deal with that.
"I thought we were grown up and could handle the pressure of penalties but unfortunately it was not like that.
"Gareth [Southgate] is very good with the mental side of dealing with footballers and is doing a great job of man management.
"But football is ever so strange – in one minute, or even just 10 seconds, everything changes.
"In the matches against Slovakia and the Netherlands it changed for England in the blink of an eye.
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Euro 2024: Sven-Goran Eriksson has rued England's poor penalty shootout record during his time in charge
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"And when you are playing bad football against smaller teams the criticism is immense. I understand that perfectly.
"If you take everything said or written about you to heart, it can send you half-crazy."
England, on Sunday, will go up against a brilliant Spain side.
La Roja have been in outstanding form this tournament, winning all six of their matches.
They've also claimed major scalps against Germany and France, too.
Euro 2024: Sven Goran-Eriksson would love to see England beat Spain in the final of Euro 2024
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But Eriksson thinks England can win and finally secure a first major trophy since the World Cup back in 1966.
"Sunday’s final will be an open game and I think England have a big, big chance," he added.
"And while I have not been feeling well over the past week or so, I will be watching the game from home.
"I would love to see England win. So would every one of the managers who has tried and failed to win a major trophy since 1966.
"Come on, Gareth. Do what we never could."
