Lionesses star Beth Mead hits back at TNT Sports over now-deleted Tweet claiming Gareth Southgate is ‘the only England manager to reach two major international finals’

Lionesses star Beth Mead has hit out at a post published on TNT Sports’ X (formerly Twitter) account, that appeared to overlook England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman by claiming Gareth Southgate ‘was the only England manager to reach two major international finals’.

The post, which was accompanied by a picture of Southgate celebrating England men’s dramatic victory against the Netherlands on Wednesday night, has subsequently been deleted after Mead, 29, commented on the post.

Ollie Watkins‘ 90th-minute strike propelled England’s men’s side into their second successive European Championship final, after Southgate had led the Three Lions to the showpiece event back in 2020.

Mead, who has scored 33 goals in 57 appearances for the Lionesses, and was the joint-top scorer at the Women’s Euro 2022, did not take kindly to TNT Sports’ post. 

The Arsenal forward quoted the Tweet, writing: ‘Hmmm’ adding a ‘thinking face’ emoji. ‘Beg to differ,’ she added.

It came after England’s men’s side beat Spain 2-1 to advance to the final of Euro 2024 

TNT Sports had claimed that Southgate (pictured) was the only England manager to get to two major finals but Mead responded writing ‘I beg to differ’

Wiegman in fact led England’s women’s side to glory at the 2022 Women’s Euros, before guiding them to the Women’s World Cup final last year – where they would suffer a 1-0 by Spain.

The Dutch coach has been in charge of England’s women’s side since 2021 and prior to that, had guided the Netherlands women’s team to victory at Euro 2017 before going on to reach the final of the 2019 Women’s World Cup in 2019.

While England’s men’s side will be preparing for their Euro 2024 final against Spain on Sunday, England’s Women’s side are currently in camp preparing for their their Euro 2025 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on Friday.

Ahead of the game, Wiegman congratulated the men’s side on their victory, despite admitting her disappointment that the Netherlands were knocked out.

Wigeman (pictured) guided England to victory at the 2022 Women’s Euros, before leading them to the World Cup final in 2023 

Wiegman (centre) congratulated Southgate’s side on their victory in a press conference on Thursday

England Women’s side are preparing for their Euro 2025 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on Friday

Ollie Watkins (left) scored to send England’s men’s side through to the final of Euro 2024 on Wednesday against the Netherlands

‘Congratulations on the win,’ Wiegman said, in address to Southgate’s side.

‘To be really honest, of course, I wish the very best for Gareth and the team but it did hurt. My orange heart hurt!’

‘Obviously, England left it to the last few minutes, like they usually do, but that made it more exciting.

‘They have their game at the weekend and we have two very important games coming up so it would be nice for us to share that success together with us getting a couple of wins as well.’