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Euro 2016: Greg Dyke apologises for England performance after embarrassing knock-out defeat to Iceland

Roy Hodgson's side were eliminated by tournament minnows Iceland on Monday

Friday 01 July 2016 07:13 BST
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Dyke claimed Hodgson's side 'froze' in their knock-out tie against Iceland
Dyke claimed Hodgson's side 'froze' in their knock-out tie against Iceland (Getty)

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has apologised for England's performance at Euro 2016.

Dyke, who on Wednesday questioned why anybody would want to manage England in the wake of Roy Hodgson's resignation, claimed the national team "froze" during their defeat to Iceland.

England drew with Russia and Slovakia while beating Wales in the group stages, but come the first knockout round minnows Iceland managed to upset the odds and claim a 2-1 victory in Nice.

The outgoing FA chairman told Sky News discussion show The Pledge: "We didn't have a bad squad. We had quite a good squad, we went out there and played okay in their first three games then we were terrible in the fourth.

"I think everybody knows that on behalf of the FA, I would like to say sorry. The fans were brilliant out there - but on the day we froze."

When asked if the England squad could benefit from psychological training prior to major competitions, Dyke added: "I think that's probably right. They get some, but we're probably going to need more in the future.

"The whole set-up that the FA have put in place at St George's Park encourages all that and we need to integrate more of the national team into that.

"I do feel they froze and they were scared. You take good players, a good manager and suddenly on a day they froze - it's terribly sad."

In quotes reported by The Guardian, Dyke had appeared relieved that he will not be involved in the pursuit of Hodgson's successor, discussions which will concern FA chief executive Martin Glenn.

"It's got to be somebody who really knows English football," he said.

"But there are loads of them now, more of them than there are English.

"You need someone who knows about English football. But Martin made clear you go for the best person. The harder question is why anybody would want it."

PA

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