'With the exception of 1966 and all that England have never had it so good during Southgate's tenure'

'MARMITE MANAGER' IS A CLASS ACT

- JEREMY CROSS

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 in 2022, having decided to continue in the job in the wake of losing to France in the World Cup quarter finals.

And he probably he will. Because these words will become his epitaph - and haunt him forever.

No England boss has reached more finals (two) or semi-finals (three) than Southgate.

No England boss has created such a culture around representing the Three Lions.