England: Harry Kane driven by burning desire for Euro 2024 glory after Bayern trophy failure

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Harry Kane says England would be disappointed with anything but going all the way at Euro 2024 and insists he is even more motivated to win the tournament after a frustrating first season at Bayern Munich.

England are among the favourites in Germany ahead of their opening group game against Serbia here in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, following three tournament near-misses under manager Gareth Southgate – including an agonising defeat on penalties to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley.

"We're all at that stage now where, yes, we want to have a great tournament, want to make everyone proud – but we want to win," Kane said.

"We feel like we're in a position where we definitely have enough in the squad to do that. We also know we're starting a very tough tournament, no English side has ever won it before.

"So it's going to be extremely tough but I think just with the experiences that we've had, not just at international level, but club-level as well will help us but, for sure we are at that stage now where anything other than winning we're going to be disappointed."

Kane is back in Germany to lead England at the end of a mixed first season with Bayern.

The 30-year-old finished as the top scorer in elite European football but again failed to win a club trophy, as the Bavarians' run of 11 straight Bundesliga titles was ended by Bayern Leverkusen and they were beaten in the Champions League semi-finals by eventual winners Real Madrid.

“Whenever you have a tough loss or go out in a competition like that, for sure, there is a real hunger and desire that burns inside to make sure that the next time you get there or the next big competition, you have a different outcome,” Kane said.

"That’s the way I always look at it. There is always a chance to get better and to improve.

"Leaving that game away in Madrid, of course it hurt for a while, but then you move on, you come away with the boys and your motivation is now onto the next one. For sure, there is a real hunger for that."

In spite of Bayern's lack of silverware, Kane has been a huge hit in German football and says he will have the support of local fans as well as England's travelling supporters at the Euros.

"The support I have had ever since I arrived in Munich and Germany in general has been incredible," the England captain said.

"Even going to away games in the Bundesliga, the support that I get from opposition fans is at an amazing level. It has made me feel really appreciated.

"I spent my whole career in the Premier League and of course there were a lot of Tottenham fans who enjoyed my work but it’s been nice to show what I can do on a European level.

"To do it in another league, in front of another set of fans in a different country has helped me as a player and has helped my profile as a player, too.

"It is going to be a tournament I should enjoy because I am going to have support not only from the England fans but from the Germany fans as well, which I will really appreciate and hopefully that will build my confidence and give me even more motivation to have a great tournament."

If he leads England to glory at the finals, Kane could be a contender for the Ballon d’Or and he believes he is more "respected" as an elite centre-forward since joining Bayern from Tottenham last summer, even if he does not feel especially different.

"From an outside point of view, I'm probably respected more as one of the top strikers in the world," he said.

"When you're at a club like Bayern Munich, that comes if you have a great season – similar to Real Madrid, Barcelona and all the top, top clubs around the world. So from that point of view, maybe I have a different kind of aura.

I am going to have support not only from the England fans but from the Germany fans as well

England captain Harry Kane

"But personally, nothing's really changed in how I prepare, how I go into games, my confidence is still the same as what it was throughout my whole career.

"So maybe from a media point of view or an outside point of view, you get looked at in a different light. Which is good for me, because it raises my profile and helps me to really compete to be one of the best players in the world. So that's probably the biggest difference I've found.

"I don't know if it's made me a better player or not, it's hard to say," he added. “If I had stayed in the Premier League for another year, would I have improved more or less? I'm not quite sure. Playing against different teams with different tactics has helped me."

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