A gentleman to his core, Gareth Southgate has always been willing to stop and speak, which was why it was so striking that he walked right out of Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Sunday without wishing to add any more to his official post-final press conference. He didn’t want to have to talk publicly about a decision he had already made. Southgate didn’t even need the few days he’d requested. He knew. The players, disappointed but understanding, also knew.
There was of course the temptation to give it just one more tournament since England were again so close. This final brought an 86th-minute Spanish winner, following penalties in Euro 2020. And yet that temptation was barely considered. The closeness only served to show how far away Southgate felt he really was.
He said on the eve of the Euro 2024 final that he wanted to “win so much” that “it hurts”, and he will now have to live with that pain. It is particularly acute given he almost had that trophy in his hands.
And yet, in time, Southgate should find considerable solace that he brought joy back to England. That’s to the play, to the games, to the tournaments, to just the atmosphere around the team. This period has impacted the country’s culture, from waistcoats to the songs.
That is much more important than the fact he is statistically England’s best modern manager and the most successful after Sir Alf Ramsey. He restored respectability to the country’s international record, by returning them to finals for the only time outside 1966.
The progress was to reach these games which became proper events, where people could be proud of their team again. He gave joy. He also gave the next manager the platform to bring the jubilation of a trophy. This also goes much deeper than just leaving a talented squad that has been in two finals.
Denne historien er fra July 17, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra July 17, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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