Gareth Southgate is the manager who had genuine greatness within his grasp.
But let it slip through his fingers. He got invited to the top table of international football, but had his seat pulled from under him. Had things been different, Southgate would have been able to dine out on his own legacy for the rest of his life.
He could have etched his name into that list of footballing immortals. Instead, Southgate will be remembered as the manager who achieved so much, but finished his time as England boss unfulfilled. “The only failure would be to die wondering,” Southgate said back in 2022, having decided to continue in the job in the wake of losing to France in the World Cup quarter finals.
READ MORE: Fears for World Cup after fans trash Copa America final, throw punches and sneak in vents
READ MORE:England suffer Euro 2024 final heartbreak versus Spain – five things new manager must fix
And he probably he will. Because these words will become his epitaph – and haunt him forever. No England manager has reached more finals (two) or semi finals (three) than Southgate. No England manager has created such a culture around representing the Three Lions.
And no England manager has developed such a healthy bond between the team, fans and media. But then again, no England manager other than Sir And Ramsey has ever won something. To lump Southgate in with all the rest who tried but failed to succeed with England, however, would be doing him a huge disservice.
How would you rate Gareth Southgate’s England tenure? Let us know in the comments section below
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Learn more
Just remember how bad England were before he took over? Knocked out of a World Cup in Brazil with one group game to go. Losing to Iceland in the last 16 of Euro 2016. Southgate broke down barriers and reached new frontiers.
Heck, he even made us good at penalties. And he did all of the above with a huge level of class and distinction. He had to turn the other cheek to cretinous abuse and criticism he didn’t deserve. He had to be a politician, diplomat, father-figure and counsellor as well as a manager.
All of this in a world we now live in which gorges on a diet of social media and instant judgment. With the exception of 1966 and all that, England have never had it so good during Southgate’s tenure. But then again, some people are never satisfied.
Because those same people have a level of arrogance and entitlement which makes them believe England has a divine right to win trophies. Despite the fact England has won the sum total of one since international football began.
(Image: GERRIT VAN COLOGNE)
Southgate knew his face would never fit in some quarters. He stood accused of being too cautious, careful and conservative. He was the ‘Marmite manager’. The sort of bloke who would wear a lifejacket to get a bath, or lay up on a Par 3.
Someone who sits on his hands, the fence, or even both at the same time. In hindsight, perhaps he might do things differently if he had his time again, especially in those biggest games of all. Because when he arrives back home following another near miss at ultimate glory, it will feel like the only thing golden about the generation he ultimately failed with, will be the sun setting on his international career.
Yet Southgate should feel proud of what he achieved. For longer than supporters care to remember, other managers gave them nothing more tangible than false hope.
But Southgate gave the nation genuine hope we could win something. He gave England a record in major tournaments they can now be proud of. Not to mention a collection of lifelong memories that will never be forgotten.
Ultimately he was found wanting when it mattered the most. But history always tells a story – and it should be kind to him.