Gareth Southgate’s Legacy: Progress and Near MissesGareth Southgate’s Legacy: Progress and Near Misses Gareth Southgate’s eight-year tenure as England manager has been a bittersweet one, characterized by significant progress and tantalizingly close achievements. While he has undoubtedly elevated the Three Lions’ status on the global stage, his legacy will be defined by the major trophies that ultimately eluded him. Southgate’s reign embarked amidst turmoil within the Football Association. Yet, he swiftly instilled a culture of learning and improvement, drawing inspiration from other footballing nations. Under his stewardship, England’s players shed their former burdens and embraced their national identity with pride. Southgate’s tenure also saw him confront pressing issues off the pitch, including racism both domestically and internationally. He made it clear that England was not immune to prejudice and encouraged a dialogue on the issue. However, Southgate’s tactical acumen and in-game decision-making have come under scrutiny during crucial matches. The Euro 2020 final against Italy was a missed opportunity, as England conceded possession and lost in a penalty shootout. Despite the setbacks, Southgate can take solace in the team’s overall improvement during his tenure. He leaves England in a far stronger position than when he arrived, with a young and talented squad that has a bright future. Southgate’s record as England manager is second only to Sir Alf Ramsey, a testament to his contributions. His legacy may not include any major trophies, but he has played a vital role in rekindling the nation’s love for their football team and setting the foundation for future success.
Gareth Southgate’s eight-year tenure as England manager will be remembered as one of progress and near misses. While he deserves credit for re-establishing England as a serious contender on the world stage and leading the team to consistent performances in the latter stages of major tournaments, he ultimately failed to claim the big prizes.
Southgate’s record of near misses leaves him open to criticism. If England had won the Euro 2024 final against Spain, he would have been hailed as a national hero. But the defeat cemented his legacy as an almost-English manager leading an almost-English team.
Despite this, Southgate can leave with his head held high for the way he handled the unique pressures of being England manager. He brought dignity to the role, tackled difficult issues off the pitch and made a nation fall in love with its football team again. His willingness to tackle issues outside of football served him well and made him a respected figure.
Southgate’s reign began during turbulent times for the Football Association (FA) following the failures of previous managers Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson. He quickly began a period of culture change, emphasising the need for England to learn from other countries, particularly the strong ties between the German Football Association and the Bundesliga.
Under Southgate’s leadership, England’s players felt a weight lifted and proud to represent their country again. He showed loyalty to players who performed well and was prepared to make difficult decisions, such as ending Wayne Rooney’s international career and dropping Raheem Sterling after the 2022 World Cup.
Southgate also addressed issues of racism within football, both domestically and abroad, making it clear that England had their own issues in this area and should not believe it was something that only existed elsewhere.
However, Southgate’s game management and tactical flexibility have been put under the microscope in key moments against top-tier opponents. The Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley was a missed opportunity for England as they allowed Italy to dominate and ultimately lost in a penalty shootout.
The aftermath of the Euro 2020 final was marred by fan unrest and racist abuse towards Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, highlighting the challenges Southgate faced as a manager in maintaining unity between players and supporters.
Southgate considered leaving after the World Cup quarter-final defeat to France, but ultimately decided to stay. However, his time as England manager came to an end after a disappointing campaign in Germany, where he struggled to find a winning formula and faced hostility from fans.
Despite failing to lead England to a major trophy, Southgate leaves the team in a much better position than when he took over. His record makes him the country’s second-best manager since Sir Alf Ramsey, and his impact on the team and its relationship with fans cannot be underestimated.
