Should Gareth Southgate be sacked as manager of England?

[Junaids]

Southgate is the eternal FA company man. He’s the manifestation of the same thinking which meant that Brian Clough never got the job and Terry Venables only got two years.

He looks respectable, especially in a tie. He talks in a measured and mature way.

Unfortunately he has the tactical mastery of Basil Brush. He plays 5-3-2 that is actually 5-2-2-1, and gets swamped in midfield.

He reached the World Cup 2018 and Euro 2020 final stages by beating minnows like Sweden and Ukraine who haven’t even qualified for this World Cup, and by drawing against a very poor Colombia team which also hasn’t qualified.

He doesn’t know what he’s doing, and his quaint loyalty to Harry Maguire will not pay off.

And with a centre-back as slow as Maguire, and a centre-forward as slow as Kane, your defence has to play deep and you end up outnumbered in midfield.

 

[James]

Feels like he stays for now and has managed to get a stay of execution with the exciting comeback against Germany — but I think after the World Cup, even if England win it, he has taken the team as far as he can, and he will step down.

 

[sweep_shot]

If England do poorly in World Cup 2022, he should be gone.

Even if England do well, I expect England and Southgate to part ways.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Don't know how he's kept his job this long to be honest, I used to argue with his fans years ago that he was overrated. He's a nice guy though, I think people just want him to succeed because of that.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Too late for change.

 

[Saj]

Too near the World Cup.

I think the FA will see how they do at the World Cup and then decide his fate.

 

[Manunited18]

He will step down after the world cup even if England somehow manage to win it

 

[Dios]

Southgate is a fraud. He is a Championship level tactician. This is the strongest England side probably in the last 20 years and they haven't won anything. The level of attacking talent at his disposal is unreal and yet he keeps setting them up to play defensive football. Unfortunately though it is too late in the day to make such a big change at the top so he will stay and England will return home empty handed once again.

 

[sweep_shot]

Southgate is a fraud. He is a Championship level tactician. This is the strongest England side probably in the last 20 years and they haven't won anything. The level of attacking talent at his disposal is unreal and yet he keeps setting them up to play defensive football. Unfortunately though it is too late in the day to make such a big change at the top so he will stay and England will return home empty handed once again.

I couldn't believe they lost the Euro final.

Euro final on home soil. Should've won. They were leading by 1-0 too.

 

[Technics 1210]

Southgate was a defender, and having a defender for England coach is like having Misbah Tuk Tuk style coaching white ball cricket.

Defensive mindset will never win you tournaments, which is why when England were 1-0 up (3 mins) in the Euro final, Southgate decided to go defensive - and lost.


My vote is to sack him!

 

[sweep_shot]

Southgate was a defender, and having a defender for England coach is like having Misbah Tuk Tuk style coaching white ball cricket.

Defensive mindset will never win you tournaments, which is why when England were 1-0 up (3 mins) in the Euro final, Southgate decided to go defensive - and lost.


My vote is to sack him!

I agree.

I think defenders do not make great coaches. Their mindsets tend to be defensive.

 

[KingKhanWC]

He wont be sacked until after the World Cup.

Too defensive.

England will likely win the group but go out in the next match, which will be a knockout match.

Any manager who persists with McGuire should be managing Sunday league teams.

 

[Firebat]

Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel would be interested in taking over as England manager if Gareth Southgate leaves after the World Cup in Qatar. Tuchel, 49, has rejected offers from two unnamed Premier League clubs since being sacked by Chelsea in September. (Telegraph)

 

[Hassan A]

England squad to face Ukraine and Scotland includes Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire

England midfielder Jordan Henderson
Henderson left Liverpool to join Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League this summer
England manager Gareth Southgate has included Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire in his squad for September's games against Ukraine and Scotland.

Midfielder Henderson, 33, has been picked after leaving Liverpool to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in July.

Centre-back Maguire makes the squad despite not having played for Manchester United so far this season.

England play Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier on 9 September in Poland, and Scotland in a friendly on 12 September.

The game against Scotland at Hampden Park is to mark the 150th anniversary of that fixture.

'Raheem isn't particularly happy about it'
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah and Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill get their first call-ups to the England squad, while midfielder Kalvin Phillips is also included, even though he has yet to play for Manchester City this season.

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling is again absent, having been left out of England's last two squads.

"He (Sterling) was not available for the last two and of course that has given other people the opportunity to play well and establish themselves in the group," said Southgate.

"It is a difficult call and Raheem isn't particularly happy about it - I'm convinced he will have a good season at Chelsea, I've no doubt about that."

Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw and John Stones are out injured, while fellow defenders Ben Chilwell and Fikayo Tomori are recalled.

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been listed in midfield, having played there for the wins against North Macedonia and Malta in June.

What about Henderson and Maguire inclusions?
Henderson has 77 England caps and spoke to Southgate about his England prospects before joining Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.

"We've watched every game, the key as we move forward is going to be the physical intensity of the league, because of the heat as well, whether that is going to allow him to perform at the level we need," said Southgate.

"Clearly the level of the league is changing all the time, lots of countries are going to have this issue.

"Portugal have got a few players there, I'm sure they are going to be playing international football."

Henderson has been criticised by some LGBTQ+ campaigners over the transfer, as same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Saudi Arabia. The player has publicly supported the LGBTQ+ community in the past.

Asked if he was concerned about the reaction to Henderson because of the controversy over his move to Saudi Arabia, Southgate said: "We're picking a team for football reasons."

He added: "There are lots of different club ownership models. There are a lot of different players who play in countries with different religious beliefs.

"I don't know why a player would receive an adverse reaction because of where he plays football.

"I'm a bit lost with some of the questioning."

Last season, Maguire found his first-team chances limited under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and was stripped of the club's captaincy this summer. West Ham agreed a £30m fee to sign Maguire earlier in August but the deal collapsed with the defender intent on fighting for his place in the team at Old Trafford.

Southgate has continued to pick the 30-year-old who has played 57 times for England.

"We have lost a lot of experienced players with caps at centre-half," said Southgate.

"We are giving some less experienced players the opportunity to come into the squad but unfortunately it looks like Tyrone is out for the season, Stones is out for this camp, Eric Dier hasn't been in the Tottenham squad.

"There is a space there and I think for these two games it is important we have some experience in that place of the pitch."

However, he added that "with Harry and Kalvin Phillips, it is far from ideal that they're not playing football".

England squad
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Forwards: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)

 

[Cricket Warrior]

England: Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold withdraw from squad

Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold have withdrawn from the England squad for upcoming games against Ukraine and Scotland because of injury.

Manchester City forward Grealish missed Saturday's 5-1 win against Fulham.

Full-back Alexander-Arnold went off with a hamstring issue as Liverpool beat Aston Villa 3-0 on Sunday.

England play Ukraine in Poland in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday and then Scotland in a friendly Glasgow on 12 September.

Boss Gareth Southgate has decided not to call up any replacements for those games.


BBC

 

[Firebat]

England 2-0 Malta: Gareth Southgate left frustrated by performance at Wembley in Euro 2024 qualifier

Manager Gareth Southgate said his England side are "not where we need to be" after Friday's 2-0 win over Malta - but refused to criticise the players because of the gruelling schedule.

Enrico Pepe's own goal and Harry Kane's 62nd strike gave the Three Lions victory in the Euro 2024 qualifier.

But Southgate's team, who had already qualified for next summer's tournament, produced an underwhelming performance.

"We didn't hit the heights we have done this calendar year," said Southgate.

England have won six of their seven games to top Group C, but were lacklustre against a Malta side that has lost all eight qualifiers.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Southgate added: "If you don't start games well it's very difficult to pick it up and we didn't. We know the level we've got should be better, can be better.

"Those games that you know you can win at a canter, the number of games these players are playing, it's almost a self-regulation.

"So not enough quality on the ball, and not enough chances created, but I have been a player and I know exactly how those games feel.

"Clearly it's possible we could have had three or four with the decisions as well, but we didn't create enough clear chances to deserve that anyway."

Captain Kane thought he had earned a penalty in the first half but was instead booked for diving. He did finish off a fine team move in the 75th minute in one of the best moments of a disappointing match to extend his record England goal tally.

"It was not our finest performance, but sometimes you play a team who have got more quality than people think," Kane told 5 Live.

"At the start, we missed the right tempo. We were sloppy and couldn't quite build. In the second half we had more control and created chances. But overall it's a 2-0 win.

"We're playing a lot of games at the moment. We have some injuries and the players coming in have to perform.

"All the players who started weren't at their usual standard but that's football. We maybe felt mental fatigue a little bit. We are top and have one game - hopefully we finish with a win."

England had qualified with two games to spare and need just a point from Monday's match against North Macedonia to guarantee a seeded position for Euro 2024.

But, with Pepe having deflected in a Phil Foden cross for the opener, they failed to have a shot on target in the opening hour against Malta, who are ranked 171st in the world and 167 places below England.

Asked if fans should be concerned, Southgate replied: "We've asked people to fill roles that aren't their usual position, like Fikayo [Tomori], and it's not easy for him to build down that side.

"We've got problems with availability in that area [left-back] and you are trying to give some players a rest. We have a lot of players that weren't in there.

"I thought Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Phil [Foden] and Marc Guehi were good and Cole Palmer coming on for his debut had a good impact. There are positives, but we know we were not where we want to be and can be."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67458661

 

[Firebat]

Southgate "learned a lot" from North Macedonia draw

England manager Gareth Southgate believes "he has learned a lot" despite his side finishing their European Championship qualifying campaign unbeaten with a disappointing 1-1 draw at North Macedonia.

Already-qualified England got the point they needed to secure a top seeding at Euro 2024 in Skopje, but were unable to improve on their underwhelming performance in Friday's 2-0 win over Malta.

"I think in both matches we've been able to look at different players as well as trying to win," Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Normally you're waiting until March to do that. We've learned quite a bit from those two games which is an advantage for us."

The hosts were awarded a controversial penalty at the end of the first half when England debutant Rico Lewis caught striker Bojan Miovski with his hand as he jumped up for a header.

North Macedonia captain Enis Bardhi put his side ahead from the rebound after his spot-kick was saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

England equalised in the 59th minute when Phil Foden's corner deflected in off Macedonian Jani Atanasov under pressure from Harry Kane.

The point sealed England's place in pot one for the draw for next summer's European Championship in Germany as one of the top five group winners, with 20 points from eight qualifying matches.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67400092

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Southgate has done a fantastic job. For me the best England Manager since Alf Ramsey.

All this talk about replacing him is just hot air and the criticism unconstructive.

He's got England to semi final and a Final which is fantastic for a team of England's standings, and no team has the Devine right of winning tournaments, not even Brazil France Germany italy.

 

[BouncerGuy]

His track record is not that bad for him to be sacked. He has won 49 of his 81 games, with 18 draws and 14 defeats. His tenure has seen England score 174 goals and concede 57. This record is one of the main reasons for him to continue.

 

[Double Trouble]

Southgate needs to go ASAP

This was a golden generation of players Kane, Stone, Rashford to name a few who should have lifted a trophy at the very latest.

He was poor at middlesbrough as well.

Southgate is a Yes sir guy for the English FA so he won’t be going anywhere so the misery of playing boring footie will continue till we fall a sleep

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Gareth Southgate: FA keen for England boss to stay after 2024 European Championships

The Football Association are keen for Gareth Southgate to remain as England boss beyond this summer's European Championships.

It was expected Southgate would stand down after the 2024 finals in Germany.

However, the 53-year-old has not discounted the possibility of remaining in the job until the 2026 World Cup.

"You've got to see how the summer goes. It's as simple as that," Southgate said at the Nations League draw in Paris on Thursday.

"In my view, I know what we're capable of achieving in the summer, I know what my own benchmark of success would be, after that I'm not really thinking about anything else.

"In the end, we've got to deliver a performance and you've got to make the best decisions for everybody. I won't be in a position to make that decision before the tournament."

The FA has been impressed at the way Southgate has changed perceptions of the England team on and off the pitch since he took charge.

He replaced Sam Allardyce, initially on an interim basis, in 2016, and in 2021 he signed a contract to stay as England boss until December 2024.

Earlier that year, he led England to the final of the Euros - their best men's performance in 55 years - where they lost to Italy on penalties at Wembley.

In 2018, he guided the team to their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years, while they reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 tournament in Qatar, losing 2-1 to eventual finalists France.

England have won 57 of their 91 matches under Southgate, with 14 defeats and 20 draws.

There is unlikely to be any significant talks on Southgate's contract until after the Euros but if he does decide he wants to stay on, it appears the FA would be happy to accommodate that wish.

England's Euros campaign starts against Serbia on 16 June, with Denmark and Slovenia the other teams in Group C.

If Southgate stays beyond his current contract's expiry date in December, he will replace Sir Bobby Robson as England's third-longest-serving manager behind only Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Walter Winterbottom.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68256138

 

[FearlessRoar]

Contract not a distraction before Euro 2024 - Southgate​

England manager Gareth Southgate says his contract situation is "not an issue and never has been" as he enters the final six months of his deal before the European Championship in Germany.

Southgate, who has been in charge of the Three Lions since 2016, considered leaving the job after the World Cup quarter-final defeat by France in Qatar but stayed on.

The Football Association is keen for Southgate to remain as manager. He will be overseeing a fourth major tournament as manager this summer, as the men’s team look to win their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

And the 53-year-old, who will have managed the same number of England games as Sir Bobby Robson when the tournament kicks off, says the talk about his future will not be a distraction.

"Well, for me, it's not an issue and never has been," Southgate said.

"I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there's enough work involved in that. I think everybody would expect that's where my focus should be."

Southgate has played down links to the Manchester United job with their manager Erik ten Hag under pressure.

"There will always be speculation about managers, because if you lose a couple of games, you're in trouble - you win a couple of games and it is a different agenda," Southgate said.

"But for me, it [Euro 2024] is a brilliant opportunity. We're looking forward to the tournament. My focus is on how do we go a step further than we went in the last Euros [when they were beaten on penalties in the final by Italy]."

Southgate spoke to BBC Sport about how he deals with expectation, fitting all his star players into the England starting line-up, Jude Bellingham and being a spokesman.

Southgate will select his initial Euro 2024 squad on Tuesday - Uefa has allowed 26-man squads for the tournament.

While England have some of the best attacking options in Europe to choose from, they also have injury concerns in defence, especially at full-back where Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Kieran Trippier have all missed significant periods of the season.

Southgate said he had "challenges" that the extra options might help with, but added he will "decide whether 26 is the right amount", saying "there’s no point in taking more players than we need".

England will play friendlies against Bosnia-Hergzovina and Iceland before submitting a final squad on the 7 June deadline.

Much of the supporter discussion around England is how to find space in a starting XI for a generation of excellent forwards.

Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Ollie Watkins are all having great individual seasons at their clubs and the debate around Foden in a central position has gathered momentum in recent weeks.

"Well, we can't start them all," said Southgate.

"They're nice problems to have. You’d rather have talent and have to make decisions based on form, than not have those options and be scratching your heads on who to play in which position.

"I think any manager would say the same thing. You'd rather have good players to work with and to pick from."

England go into the tournament in Germany as one of the favourites to win.

The depth of talent, strength of the Premier League, plus the history of reaching the World Cup semi-final in 2018, the Euros final in 2021 and the perceived progression of the way the team played in Qatar, means that a lot is expected of Southgate's side.

The England manager agreed the expectation is higher than usual and said "perhaps the expectation matches the capability a little bit more than it has done historically".

He added: "And I think there's always expectation of England anyway, we know that.

"But I think there's belief within the playing group and staff because of the experiences that we've had in those last few tournaments."

Jude Bellingham has continued to show he is one of the best midfielders in the world since his 103m euros (£88.5m) move to Real Madrid.

The 20-year-old has won the La Liga title and reached a Champions League final in his first season - and will likely play a significant part if England are to progress to the latter stages of the tournament.

Southgate believes that Bellingham’s ability to "grab games" is what makes him "unusual".

“[He's shown] amazing maturity to settle into the biggest club in world football in terms of their history, and to have the impact he's had with the number of goals, big goals, winning goals,” Southgate said.

"He's got an insatiable desire to win. That mentality is possibly the thing that stands out."

Southgate is asked to speak on topics that do not only relate to football. During his time as manager, he has been asked to comment on racism, the Covid pandemic, the flag colour on the back of the shirt, and also his thoughts on whether the Wembley arch should be lit up.

The England boss says he accepts his role as a "statesman for the country" but it can be "unusual" for him.

"It's different in that, normally, I think managers would just be asked about football," he said.

"It's a position where you have responsibility and influence so there are times where you are probably asked to comment on things when I'd probably rather just focus on football, but I understand it, and I've got used to over the years I guess."

Gareth Southgate: England manager says talk about his future not a distraction for Euro 2024

England manager Gareth Southgate talks about his contract, the England starting XI and Jude Bellingham.

www.bbc.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

'Deepfake' Southgate videos viewed by millions​

At a major tournament England head coach Gareth Southgate's words are analysed, deconstructed and debated.

But Euro 2024 has brought a new dimension - AI-generated fake interviews with the England boss that are being viewed by millions on social media.

These fake clips purporting to show Southgate making crude remarks about his players have been called "offensive" by the Football Association.

The videos have been circulating on TikTok and Instagram.

They include derogatory comments about England's Euro 2024 players as well as those who were not selected.

Comments on the social sites suggest the material, about players such as Phil Foden, Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford, had been believed by some viewers.

The videos are all made to look like Southgate is giving press conferences, but use an AI voice generator to overlay fake words and artificially move his mouth.

In one of them the artificial voice apologises "to the nation" for the manager's performance and criticises players.

In another, the fake Southgate says: "I think we really missed Jordan Henderson's presence out there tonight."

BBC Sport spoke to several England fans in Germany who had seen the material on social media.

The majority said they found the content funny.

"It's the classic stereotypical British humour. It helps build a bit of morale to keep people motivated and happy, so I think it's harmless fun," one supporter told BBC Sport.

"Apparently, Gareth doesn’t read anything or watch any social media anyway."

Another described some of the videos as "quite funny" but pointed out it was not just the England manager who has been targeted.

"I've seen a lot of players and, during the season, [Jurgen] Klopp, Pep [Guardiola] and [Mikel] Arteta getting it too."

However, the FA said in a statement: "As we do with all harmful content we will take steps to have these offensive videos removed.

"Gareth and everyone in camp are focused on Sunday’s game."

England won Group C of Euro 2024 and face Slovakia in the last 16 - but there has been criticism of the way England have played as well as of Southgate personally.

Earlier this year London Mayor Sadiq Khan said deepfake audio of him supposedly making inflammatory remarks before Armistice Day almost caused "serious disorder".

And former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland said AI videos in politics represent a "clear and present danger" to UK democracy.

While AI-generated content is allowed on TikTok and Instagram, there are rules on what content is considered harmful.

Shortly after the BBC approached TikTok about a number of videos on one account, the material disappeared.

It is understood it was taken down because it repeated violations of the platform's AIGC policies.

Meta, which owns Instagram, was also reviewing the material.

Experts warned that those in positions of power were not the only ones vulnerable to this kind of manipulation.

Professor Hany Farid, a digital forensics expert at the University of California, said: "It's not just people who have a big digital footprint whose identity can be co-opted.

"I can take as little as 30 seconds of someone’s voice, as short as a single image of somebody, and create deepfakes of them."

He added that there was a delicate balance to strike with regulation when it comes to satire.

"It's one thing to have an article that is satirical, making fun of a politician or an athlete," he said.

"It is very different to have a video of that person in their voice and in their likeness that can be quite offensive, and I think the courts, and we as a society, are going to have to think about where we draw that line."

Euro 2024: 'Deepfake' Gareth Southgate social media videos anger FA

The Football Association criticises AI-generated videos on social media purporting to show Gareth Southgate making crude remarks about England players.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Southgate has suffered - but next few days will define legacy

As he prepares for England's Euro 2024 semi-final with the Netherlands in Dortmund, manager Gareth Southgate faces the days that will define his legacy.

He has experienced a wide range of emotions in Germany. From hostility and beer thrown at him following their draw with Slovenia in Cologne, to dancing in front of jubilant fans after the quarter-final win on penalties against Switzerland in Dusseldorf.

There is a growing belief Southgate's eight years in charge will come to an end after Euro 2024, whether that is following Wednesday's meeting with the Dutch or a final against Spain in Berlin on Sunday.

England's performances have been indifferent, but a mix of steely resilience and individual brilliance has placed them in the last four with the tantalising prospect of two contrasting conclusions to the tournament, and perhaps to Southgate's tenure.

If England lift the trophy at the Olympiastadion on Sunday, Southgate will go down in history, after 1966 World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey, as only the second manager to lead the men's team to success at a major tournament.

If his side go out to the Dutch, Southgate will be the manager who consistently led his team into what had been alien territory for so long, namely the latter stages of major tournaments, but could not quite get them over the line for the ultimate triumph.

England victories against the Netherlands and Spain would deliver Southgate's definitive answer to questions about his tactics and perceived conservative approach, which have shrouded his eight years despite an unprecedented record of leading them to three semi-finals and a final - the Wembley loss on penalties to Italy at Euro 2020.

The caveat to all this is England have failed to clear the final hurdle, which is why so much rests on events at Westfalenstadion on Wednesday.

Southgate has suffered at times in Germany, his voice faltering and hesitant when asked by BBC 5 Live Sport whether he was hurt by the criticism after the Slovenia encounter.

He visibly bristled when questioned about whether England had landed in the more favourable half of the draw, labelling it "a classic example of the entitlement we have as a nation that creates drama and annoys our opponents".

He has not lost his composure publicly, but there has been an edge and angst to Southgate that has not been present at other tournaments. It is clear the criticism has wounded him.

"This is a job where you get ridiculed and your professional capability is questioned beyond belief," he said. "I don't think it's normal to have beer thrown at you either, but my life's taken me through a lot of resilience and it's made me more determined. I'm just using it as fuel."

England did, after all, win Group C almost in spite of themselves. The small number of people hurling beer behaved unacceptably and lacked in the respect Southgate is due.

His delight at flipping the angry reaction on its head with the win against Switzerland was made plain by his impromptu jig in front of fans who had turned on England and the manager during and after their group-game draws against Denmark and Slovenia.

Southgate also complained about the media - purely doing its job to inform and not in attendance at Euro 2024 as cheerleaders - for revealing changes in formation before the Switzerland game, referring "our own media leaking tactical information two hours after we've walked off the training pitch".

This, more than anything, hints at an England camp that had not been as tight as at previous tournaments and appeared, at times, to be flat, in the early part of Euro 2024 at least.

For all that, the Three Lions are in the semi-final with a chance for Southgate and his players to write a glorious new chapter in their sporting history.

He cut a relaxed figure in his media briefing at Westfalenstadion, suggesting there was a different mood and drive around the squad as they have progressed through Euro 2024.

Southgate said: "One of our strengths over the years has been having less fear, showing less inhibition but, at the beginning of the tournament, the expectation weighed heavily and the noise from outside had never been louder. We couldn't quite get ourselves in the right place.

"Now it's about what is possible and not what might go wrong. This is now the chance to make history. We are trying to break new ground and that is not easy but the players have been resilient."

The manager has had praise for his work too, as former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC 5 Live Sport after they reached the last four: "Gareth Southgate has proved a hell of a lot of people wrong at this tournament. I'm delighted for him. Gareth talked about beer being thrown at him in certain games and what have you... that is not the way to treat an England manager.

"You think about his record as England manager. Out of the last four tournaments, three semi-finals and a quarter-final, with a final in there as well. You have people saying he's not an inventive manager and he's a poor manager, he's done it again. Gareth South-great."

England face an old adversary in Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, who played in their 3-1 win over Sir Bobby Robson's side in the 1988 European Championship in Dusseldorf, but was also an infamous figure for his part in a World Cup qualifier between the sides in October 1993.

Koeman dragged David Platt back when he was clean through with the scoreline goalless, escaped with only a yellow card, then scored a free-kick five minutes later as England - needing just a point to qualify for the 1994 finals - went down to a damaging 2-0 defeat. He had finished his international career before England's stunning 4-1 Wembley win at Euro '96.

In his second spell in charge, Koeman has led the Netherlands into the semi-final and looking increasingly confident and dangerous, having recovered from a 3-2 loss to Austria in the group stage. They will present a stern examination.

But England and Southgate find themselves two games from history.

And the history books would simply record England's achievement - not how they played to write that new chapter.

It will either end with Euro 2024 glory or another bitter disappointment of Southgate and his team falling short once more. This much goes on the line in Dortmund.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Southgate plans year out from management

Former England manager Gareth Southgate says he will not return to a coaching role for at least a year.

The 54-year-old resigned from the England job after the defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July.

Southgate was appointed as Three Lions boss in 2016 and guided England to back-to-back Euro finals, as well as a fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.

He has been linked with Manchester United amid the uncertainty over the future of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

However, speaking at the European Club Association general assembly in Athens on Thursday, Southgate ruled out an immediate return to management.

"I won't coach in the next year for sure, I'm certain of that," he said. "I need to give myself time to make good decisions.

"When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time.

"I'm enjoying my life, so there's no rush."

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp announced his return to the game on Wednesday, taking a role as global head of soccer at Red Bull.

"I'm fortunate that there are lots of different opportunities that are presenting themselves. The business side of football is really interesting," said Southgate.

"I've been invited to speak at Harvard and there's lots of exciting life experiences to have.

"I'm 54 and want to enjoy and be really motivated for the next 10 to 15 years of my life and the most important thing is to give myself time to make good decisions."

Southgate says he will not coach another international team and will be careful before returning to the club environment. He previously managed Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009.

"Clubs can only be successful if everything is aligned, right the way through the club," he said.

"I also know that maybe the smarter people sit in the boardrooms and the coaches are a little bit more dispensable than you think when you are there.

"As a coach you think you're the most important person. I sat in every boardroom in our country for eight years and realised you're only a small piece in this whole thing."

England face Greece in the Nations League at Wembley on Thursday evening.

Lee Carsley, who replaced Southgate as interim manager, has won both of his two fixtures in charge of the Three Lions.

BBC