With the conclusion of an intense and emotional night in Dortmund, Gareth Southgate demonstrated heartfelt appreciation to his audience. Ever the empathetic figure towards England’s dedicated fans, partly due to his personal affinity for watching the game from their viewpoint, he thoughtfully mused on their unequivocal euphoria prevalent right outside the venue.
“We’re all in need of affection, aren’t we?” He mused half in jest, yet not posing a real question. “Being a proud Englishman, representing your nation, can be emotionally draining especially when faced with continuous criticism, rather than the support you yearn for. Such moments of victory, which we gift to our ardent fans, truly mean a great deal. I find a deep sense of connection with them.”
Although his words hinted at a peace offering, it wasn’t meant to settle any ongoing disagreement, primarily because no such animosity existed in the first place. Southgate has consistently displayed transparency, integrity, and fairness, even when assailed with harsh comments. This man, credited with employing wit to dissipate the gloomiest occurrences dating back to the 1996 Pizza Hut advertisement, has equally showcased resilience and understanding amidst heavy criticism during the recent summer. From his perspective, there has never been a contention with the supporters of the national team.
It’s high time the fans, along with others closely associated with England, reciprocate the love that Southgate so rightfully has earned. With a balanced outlook, it’s clear to see he has led the England team to unmatched heights of success in its contemporary era, a streak which could reach an inspiring zenith with a potential triumph in Berlin come Sunday. Even though Southgate’s next move post the finale remains uncertain, a chapter is definitively closing. His journey across Germany has unravelled into an oddly intimate adventure, often enacted in public, leading him to revisit territories he presumed were part of bygone days.
The lacklustre draw with Denmark in the second group stage match signalled the nadir of Southgate’s managerial tenure, coaches heretofore hadn’t been soaked with beer cups thrown by frustrated supporters. Despite his comments, stating nothing could surprise him after spending two decades involved with the team, it was evident he was taken aback, and unrightfully targeted, during the stagnant match against Slovenia.
After an initial strong performance against Serbia devolved into a struggle, Southgate and his team found themselves under severe criticism for their initial victory in the group stage. While the win was less than flawless, the team saw it as another learning experience in their journey amid a mix of seasoned and new players. The negative response to a decent draw against the competent Danish team in Frankfurt has been a recurring point in Southgate’s reflections in the last two weeks.
This constituted what he termed as an “unusual environment” which he referred to post the Slovenia game. He recently described navigating this hostility as an intriguing experience. The baffled team’s overly cautious approach prompted him to address the situation directly while at their Blankenhain base, using rival celebrations to illustrate that if the opposition could revel, England could hold their confidence high as well.
Southgate stated after a rather dull group stage performance, “Our world is different now and I believe that’s largely due to me”. He emphasised that any criticism should be directed at him and not the playing field. Nonetheless, he could not help questioning—away from the press—why the scrutiny was particularly directed at him.
England have not been wallowing in perpetual failure, nor has their prime talent gone to waste. The Euro 2024 is far from over and none of it should have provoked this negativity. Despite not making the final leap in his past three tournaments, Southgate’s contribution towards on-field progress and the clear camaraderie within the squad were evident.
It could be Southgate fell prey to increasing suspicion, amplified by England’s inability to seal victory in the Euro 2020 final in front of an expectant nation, with accusations of him being overly cautious. However, there might be broader factors at play. The intense focus on every subtle aspect of elite club football, paired with modern-day extreme microanalysis and the pursuit of flawlessness, may have decreased the patience for the less sophisticated and more sidelined international matches.
It has become common to make hurried evaluations; and even more so that Europe tends to nervously anticipate disappointment, despite the outcomes of recent elections. It appears Southgate was criticised due to his occupation rather than his actual performance within it.
It is helpful to consider the fact that Southgate has never seen his face depicted as a vegetable in a national newspaper, unlike his predecessor Bobby Robson. He has never received a demand phrased “In Allah’s name, leave.” Regardless of Southgate’s tenure being characterised with frequent dissatisfaction, especially post the humbling Hungary defeat at Molineux two years prior, the peak of this negativity has never reached such heights.
It would be incorrect to claim that Southgate is flawless. If Jordan Pickford hadn’t defended against Virgil van Dijk during an arduous second half against the Netherlands, Southgate might have drawn flak for not reacting promptly to Ronald Koeman’s first-half inclusion of Joey Veerman. However, significant in-tournament adjustments were also seen. England seemed to perform notably better with the 3-4-2-1 formation, where Jude Bellingham and particularly Phil Foden were given the liberty to roam, while Kobbie Mainoo had the freedom to back them up.
Anyone who has doubts about his substitutions, it must be said that his decision to use Ollie Watkins, who had previously been left out, to test Stefan de Vrij’s lack of movement, was a brilliant strategy that potentially reshaped the course of history. The players regard Southgate highly, even if they haven’t been extensively involved. Luke Shaw shared on Monday, two days before it was proven once again, “The significant unity within the squad is largely generated by what Gareth has constructed, which assists us greatly in progressing through these games.”
Andy Roxburgh, the previous Scotland manager, once said that a manager’s attitude during post-match interviews acts as “a promotion for the vitality of your team”. Throughout the spiritual journey of the past month, Southgate has maintained honesty and sincerity, reflecting the likable side of the England team and in turn, portraying himself as a manager truly deserving of admiration as he advances towards Berlin.