Claudio Ranieri has denied claims English football is in crisis following the national team's nightmare Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland.
The Three Lions underwhelmed in the group stage by finishing second behind neighbours Wales in Group B, before crashing out of the competition in a 2-1 defeat against minnows Iceland.
England have only managed to win six tournament knockout games since they won the World Cup in 1966, while also winning just four of their last 15 games at major international competitions.
But while Ranieri believes English football is not in a disastrous state, the Leicester City boss does admit that he has at a loss to explain their woeful form at major tournaments.
"English football is not in crisis,” Ranieri is quoted as saying by Gazzetta Dello Sport.
"But it's been 50 years since their last trophy, and now they can't compete in the European Championship or the World Cup. It's unexplainable."
Ranieri's home nation Italy, on the other hand, rarely struggle on the international stage with the Azzurri currently in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
Antonio Conte's men finished top of Group E before going on to knock out holders Spain in the last 16, with world champions Germany next up for them in the last eight.
And Ranieri has congratulated the Italy squad on their efforts and has also lauded Conte, who will take over the Chelsea reins after the Euros, as a “very good coach”.
"The Italian national team is having a great Euro," he added.
"We have a very good coach, you can see that the team is united.
"I have to congratulate all the boys."
..... - Goal