Former England boss Sam Allardyce says the country should have a bank holiday if the national team wins the Euro 2024 final against Spain tomorrow.
Gareth Southgate will lead the team into his second final as England boss, with hopes of achieving their first ever major tournament win on foreign soil.
It has prompted calls for a day off with England fans desperate to celebrate what would be a staggering achievement for the Three Lions.
Allardyce, who coached the national side before Southgate’s appointment, has added his name to the list of people calling for a bank holiday.
“I’d be very disappointed if we don’t get a bank holiday”, he said.
“It’s about time we did something for ourselves and I think if we win it, we should all celebrate and if we have a headache on Monday morning, we shouldn’t have to go into work, no matter what the bosses think, particularly the ones that don’t support England.
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Ollie Watkins scored the winning goal during Wednesday's semi-final gamePA“We need to celebrate it as much as we possibly can, it would be a great achievement.
“It will lift the country. Let’s face it, it hasn’t been the best for the last few years. Spirits will be and have been lifted.
“And I have to say, the fans have been fantastic.”
England’s last appearance in a Euros final ended in heartbreak with Southgate and co falling to a penalty shootout defeat against Italy.
Sam Allardyce joined Ellie Costello and Ben Leo on GB News
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The England boss says he is determined to make sure tomorrow’s final has a different conclusion and has urged his players to seize the occasion.
Spain stand in their way, however, and Southgate has been full of praise for La Roja, who have won plaudits for their attractive style of play throughout the tournament.
“They’re excellent, I have a lot of admiration for them,” he said of Sunday’s opponents, as reported by England Football.
“They’ve been excellent with the ball and without the ball, they work as a team and without doubt deserve to be in the final.
“But we have to hope we are rising to the occasion each time. There’s no question we’ve improved with the ball and we needed to.
“We were inhibited at the start of the tournament and we’ve been freer in the last few games.
“We’ve shown great resilience in coming through a difficult period where people doubted us.
“I’m very proud of the players and now we have a history-making possibility rather than a fear. It’s a different mindset.
“I do think we feel different to 2021. To qualify for a first final in 50 years was a huge landmark at home and it took a lot emotionally from us.
“This semi-final took a lot of emotion but there’s a real desire to make this count having walked past that trophy the last time.”
