![Clubs might come knocking but England is in his blood](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1721191067/articles/uRTLtFG9S1721200797461/CLUBS-MIGHT-COME-KNOCKING-BUT-ENGLAND-IS-IN-HIS-BLOOD.jpg)
Gareth Southgate’s final thought was the one that probably hurt the most. “It’s the last step we haven’t been able to do,” he reflected in his final answer as England manager. He had cited the achievements, a first final on foreign soil, two in consecutive European Championships, only one defeat in 14 matches – penalties excluded – in those two tournaments, but said: “In the moment, none of the matters.”
It was a clue. Southgate was a beaten man. After eight years of dignified and devoted service, the best England manager of his lifetime – and he was born a couple of months after West Germany ejected his country from the 1970 World Cup – knew he wouldn’t join Alf Ramsey in the pantheon of winners. Perhaps someone else will: Southgate leaves a still better platform even than Ramsey, given that the managerial knight was sacked after England failed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup. The talent of the players, the youth and the strength in depth could position Southgate’s successor to win the 2026 World Cup or, more probably, Euro 2028 on home soil. Take the culture he implemented, add more attacking thrust and assurance in possession and he may seem England’s Bill Shankly, his replacement the Bob Paisley of this particular comparison.
England’s past, however, suggests they are likelier to regress and that the Southgate years may forever remain an anomaly: four consecutive tournaments when they outlasted Germany. He was an English version of Didier Deschamps or Joachim Low, just without the crowning glory of a trophy.
Denne historien er fra July 17, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 17, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![England face Pope dilemma - should they stick or twist?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/zqCYkfS6n1725000407763/ENGLAND-FACE-POPE-DILEMMA-SHOULD-THEY-STICK-OR-TWIST.jpg)
England face Pope dilemma - should they stick or twist?
Ollie Pope has enjoyed a winning start as a stand-in captain, but the new role has shone a spotlight on his form with the bat that could make his position vulnerable.
![Favourite Cox crashes out of time trial gold contention](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/qvx6CPa_Q1725000333171/FAVOURITE-COX-CRASHES-OUT-OF-TIME-TRIAL-GOLD-CONTENTION.jpg)
Favourite Cox crashes out of time trial gold contention
Kadeena Cox has spent the past decade playing the hand that her body has dealt her and this time, it gave her no choice but to fold.
![Champions League gets bigger and more complex](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/VSBEGiGWH1725000218692/CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE-GETS-BIGGER-AND-MORE-COMPLEX.jpg)
Champions League gets bigger and more complex
As European football's 'Mr President' also gets a rebrand
![What it feels like to mourn the death of your abuser](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/3gEOa2p3w1724999756398/WHAT-IT-FEELS-LIKE-TO-MOURN-THE-DEATH-OF-YOUR-ABUSER.jpg)
What it feels like to mourn the death of your abuser
As Mariah Carey announces the passing of her estranged mother and sister - whom she said abused her - Ellie Muir digs into a particular kind of grief that is anything but simple
![The prolific coffee company with ties to Nazi Germany](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/gZargQYTQ1724999523822/THE-PROLIFIC-COFFEE-COMPANY-WITH-TIES-TO-NAZI-GERMANY.jpg)
The prolific coffee company with ties to Nazi Germany
In this latest book on the barons who control America's food and drink industry, Austin Frerick explores the dark past of a company you won't recognise but will have interacted with
![Millions told to evacuate as typhoon crashes into Japan](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/R0dEOgW-v1724999438710/MILLIONS-TOLD-TO-EVACUATE-AS-TYPHOON-CRASHES-INTO-JAPAN.jpg)
Millions told to evacuate as typhoon crashes into Japan
At least three people have died after a powerful storm hit southern Japan yesterday, while at least five million have been ordered to evacuate and hundreds of flights have been cancelled across the country.
![Let us strike deep inside Russia, Ukraine pleads](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/ZBJPc73nR1724999361839/LET-US-STRIKE-DEEP-INSIDE-RUSSIA-UKRAINE-PLEADS.jpg)
Let us strike deep inside Russia, Ukraine pleads
Ukraine's top diplomat has called on the European Union to pressure the US into allowing them to use Western long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory. The request comes ahead of crunch talks between senior Kyiv and Washington officials later this week.
![Israel kills militant leaders as West Bank raids continue](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/UCnHjuCs01724999243495/ISRAEL-KILLS-MILITANT-LEADERS-AS-WEST-BANK-RAIDS-CONTINUE.jpg)
Israel kills militant leaders as West Bank raids continue
UN warns that military operation violates international law
![LNER train drivers call off weekend strikes after talks](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/9oJA6srBb1724999162895/LNER-TRAIN-DRIVERS-CALL-OFF-WEEKEND-STRIKES-AFTER-TALKS.jpg)
LNER train drivers call off weekend strikes after talks
Three months worth of weekend strikes by train drivers have been called off following successful talks. Aslef members working for LNER - the government-owned train operator of the East Coast Main Line - had planned to walk out at weekends from Saturday to 10 November, after the union claimed there had been a breakdown in industrial relations.
![Woman who left vulnerable man to freeze and die jailed](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1815756/Ug14wbl311724999073728/WOMAN-WHO-LEFT-VULNERABLE-MAN-TO-FREEZE-AND-DIE-JAILED.jpg)
Woman who left vulnerable man to freeze and die jailed
Defendant stole victim's scooter, dragging him along with it