Like all successful sporting teams, partnerships are key

There is a new generation of women supporting the men in Gareth Southgate's 26-man England squad,

- Ellie Muir

The saying, “Behind every successful man is a strong woman”, may sound like a cliche. But when it’s applied to the world of men’s football, it’s more than fitting. Over the years, the wives, partners and girlfriends of the England team have often had culture-shaping careers, like Victoria Beckham and her fashion empire, Peter Crouch’s wife, Abbey Clancy and her successful presenting career, or Coleen Rooney and her super-sleuthing investigative skills.

With the 2024 Euros now under way, there is a generation of women behind the men in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad, who have successful careers and pursuits of their own. Here is a look at just four of them.

Southgate has said his “secret weapon” is his wife Alison, one of the main reasons the England manager actively encourages his players to prioritise quality time with their families.

Alison, 57, met Southgate when he was a trainee at Crystal Palace while they were both in their twenties, Alison was working in a clothing boutique in south London when she first met the football manager, but since then, she has largely kept all aspects of her life out of the spotlight and remains focused on supporting him and their family.

In his memoir published in 2002, Southgate wrote: “On Saturday evening, our children are not too bothered whether Dad’s team have won or lost. Neither does Alison fret too much about football, and this is how I like it.

“Regardless of the result, it is up to me to ensure that no one’s evening is ruined because of things that happened on a football field.”