'No problem' Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier makes selection admission

Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier says it “doesn’t matter” which position Gareth Southgate plays him in Sunday’s EURO 2024 opener.

An injured Luke Shaw and lack of cover in position has led many to believe Trippier will continue in the mould of the final two pre-tournament friendlies and start at left back, a position the former Atletico Madrid defender will be ready to play - though admits his usual attacking style may adapt slightly.

It is widely expected that this is where the 33-year-old will play in the opening group stage match against Serbia in an experienced back line including John Stones and Kyle Walker, yet if the Bury native is not selected he has vowed to give unwavering support from the sidelines.

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“It doesn’t matter which position,” Trippier told the Football Daily Podcast. “If I play right-back, left-back… I will always be ready.

“I like to bomb forward and put crosses in but sometimes I need to adjust my game, maybe I will be more defensive at left-back, but for me it is just the same. The distances, checking your left shoulder instead of your right, the fine details. If it’s left-back, no problem. I will give my best.

“If I’m not playing, I’m always supportive of my team, because ultimately, if you are not playing, we all [still] want the same goal. It is a privilege to wear the shirt for England, whether I’m at left-back or right-back.”

Whether this is Trippier’s last full international tournament with England or not, given he will be 35-years-old by the time the 2026 World Cup rolled round, the defender told Gary Neville on the Overlap that he has no intention of hanging up his boots soon, and spoke of his ambitions to go into coaching.

“I would like to go into coaching, but I feel certainly the past seven, eight years I’ve looked after my body better. I feel good on the pitch and it’s all about being professional. I have got a good few years in me yet, whatever level that is at. I will know when it is the right time. I would love to go into coaching when I finish. I have played for some top managers who I have learned a lot from and players that I have played with. I think that will be an exciting time as well.

”I would like to start with a youth team, I would like to build myself up. You see a lot of players who just go straight in with a first-team and sometimes it doesn’t work out. It is about learning as well, because you are going back to square one. I spoke to a lot of people and just because you were a footballer, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to be a good coach.

“I think I would like to take some time out for a bit with my family as well and then get back into it.”