SOUTHGATE NEEDS TO UP ENGLAND’S GAME

SINCE taking over the England national team in 2016, Gareth Southgate has done a fine job overall up to the past year.

Southgate is far from the best tactician, something that showed when he previously managed Middlesbrough in the English top flight from 2006-2009. Overall, he managed just a 29.8% win rate during his time with Boro.

He looked out of his depth and, rather unsurprisingly, did not get another club offer in England. Since his time with Boro ended, he has never managed at club level.

Southgate’s major contributions to England have not come from his tactics, but rather from what he has done to build unity within the squad. He did something that previous England managers in the modern generation failed to do and that was build a solid unit where unity prevailed.

This was a major factor behind why he succeeded in leading the Three Lions to a major tournament final during Euro 2020.

He also inherited a dressing room which was in shambles when he took over, following a disastrous Euro 2016 showing by England and Sam Allardyce’s infamous resignation. Allardyce was caught on tape giving bookies advice on how to circumvent transfer market rules, an incident which led to some dubbing Big Sam, “Big Scam”.

It is also under Southgate that the England national team’s relations with the press and media have improved. Prior to his appointment, the team faced several regular media scandals, which generated negative publicity and in all likelihood affected team performances.

However, with that being said, Southgate has fared poorly in recent months. With the talent that

England have, they should really be among the favourites to win the 2022 World Cup.

Recent results throughout world football have seemingly indicated that a few strange things will happen in the World Cup. There is a very strong chance that the World Cup will be won by a team outside Europe for the first time since 2002, with Brazil and Argentina currently the two best teams in world football.

Anything other than a semi-final appearance from England in Qatar will really be inexcusable and be a very valid reason for England to sack Southgate.

The team has not looked convincing in recent games. With all due respect to Hungary, they should never have lost back-to-back games against them in the Uefa Nations League.

Furthermore, it was poor of England to lose a recent game against

Italy, given that the Italians are on a major rebuild following their failure to qualify for the World Cup, and seemingly playing half-heartedly.

England are simply not playing exciting football. With the talent that Southgate has at his disposal, he can still turn things around and lead his team to the deep stages of the World Cup.

However, should he flop, he will destroy what would otherwise have been a beautiful legacy. While he will be the subject of mockery if this happens, his time as England boss has been replete with positives. Football can be a cruel sport sometimes.