Sport
Gareth Southgate let out an almighty roar and gestured to the crowd. “One more!”, he screamed. England had beaten the Netherlands to reach their second successive European Championship final; the last push is against Spain in Berlin on Sunday.
Perhaps, though, Southgate’s call to arms could have a double meaning. His contract expires at the end of 2024 and that will automatically call into question his long-term future. International football works in cycles, each one ending after a major tournament.
Southgate, who seriously considered walking away after losing to France in the quarter finals of the Qatar World Cup, will have done his job with a win at the weekend, ending 58 years of hurt for the men’s team, waiting for silverware. If he doesn’t, perhaps he’ll think he’s taken the team as far as he can. Either way, the FA will let him decide what is next.
Southgate has also been the most meticulous when it comes to setting a plan in place to make England successful. Dan Ashworth’s “England DNA” structures, including bringing all teams at all levels under one roof at St George’s Park has definitely played a huge role, but in terms of the footballing side, through his work as the FA’s Head of Elite Development and coach of the under-21s prior to taking over the senior side, the way England play and act in key moments is definitely Southgate’s vision.
The most obvious thing he has done is to segregate this current era from those in the past. Be that in terms of looking forward to and enjoying playing for England, or shutting out the noise and crippling self fulfilling prophecy of the past, there’s no doubting he has succeeded. The best example of that this summer was England’s quarter-final penalty shootout win over Switzerland.
In years gone by, the quarter-finals became an insurmountable barrier in itself, let alone penalties. But the five takers in that shootout, including Bukayo Saka who missed the key kick in the last final against Italy, stepped up without thought for what had gone before. They didn’t just score all five, they did so emphatically.
Nevertheless, there have been moments this summer where that almost crumbled. As England fumbled through the group stage, dissension grew in the fan base and from pundits. Southgate’s tactics, appearing unwilling to let go of the handbrake off, and slow reaction to changes, have riled a lot of people. Until the Switzerland win, it felt like there was no return to the love between fans and team that underpinned his early reign. That has quickly turned around.
Southgate spoke about his feelings after the win over the Netherlands
“We all want to be loved, right? When you’re doing something for your country and you’re a proud Englishman, when you don’t feel that back and when all you read is criticism, it’s hard. So to be able to celebrate the second final (after Euro 2020) is very, very special,” Southgate said.
“If I hadn’t been on the grass, I’d have been watching, celebrating like they were. We are kindred spirits in many ways but of course I’m the one who has to pick a team. So to be able to give them a night like tonight, it’s very special.”
Criticism is fair and, for many, has been justified. Abuse, though, which manifested itself in the form of fans throwing beer cups at the manager, is simply unacceptable.
England have not been at their best and have far more quality than they have shown at times. Tactically it hasn’t been good enough at times, responsibility for which lies with Southgate. But they have also pulled themselves through on the strength of the culture change and previous work he put in place. Perhaps he has been taken for granted at times.
“The only reason I took the job was to try and bring success to England as a nation and try and improve English football. To be able to take the team to its first final overseas, I’m immensely proud of that,” he continued.
“We play the team who have been the best team in the tournament and we have a day less to prepare so it’s a huge task. But we’re still here and we’re fighting.”
Whatever happens against Spain, it might be time for something fresh for both Southgate and England. His bosses would surely love it if he stayed, and his track record would earn that, but the tactical deficiencies this summer have left a lot to be desired. When he does go, though, he deserves the highest level of credit possible. Southgate has changed England and made everything seem possible.
