Football managers divide opinions. Many see Pep Guardiola as the best manager in the world. Some say he was just blessed with talented players and abundant funds. As opinion gets more space on social media, this is inevitable. But, there are few managers in football today who are as polarising as England's head coach, Gareth Southgate.
The former centre-back took over the national team during one of the most difficult periods in English football's recent history. After embarrassing eliminations at Brazil 2014 and Euro 2016, the English Football Association (FA) appointed Sam Allardyce as head coach to steady the ship. But, he was caught up in a corruption scandal and resigned after 67 days. Desperate, the FA turned to Southgate, then head coach of the under-21 side. He was given temporary charge of the senior team in September 2016.
Just over six years later, he is taking the team to a third major tournament, after leading it to a first World Cup semifinal in 28 years and a first-ever Euro final. He is, statistically, the second-most successful England manager ever. Therefore, it is not immediately clear what is to not like. But, the criticism from a vocal section of the fan base, primarily for being overly cautious, cannot be ignored.
The success of Southgate's defensive football has been downplayed with the claim that the squad he has is the best in 20 years. Therefore, goes the argument, the runs deep into the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 were to be expected and that he should have won those tournaments with the talent available. The argument that this is the best team in two decades can be exposed as inaccurate pretty quickly.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock