Inevitably, perhaps, it all ended in tears.
The impossible job: Gareth Southgate on Sunday night
Tears at the final whistle. Tears on the flight home from Berlin.
And some tears, no doubt, this morning as Gareth Southgate ended his eight years in charge of the England men’s football team, having handed in his resignation to FA chiefs at Wembley on his return from Germany, after he and his side suffered the crushing blow of defeat in a second consecutive European Championship final on Sunday night.
England had come within a goal-line clearance of forcing extra time against Spain, the outstanding side of the tournament. But they were denied, a defensive-minded side undone by glaring defensive errors.
Southgate had revolutionised the look and feel and respect for the England men’s team since he took over in 2016, not long after the squad had failed to get out of its group and was beaten by Iceland. Yes, Iceland…
World Cup semi-final and quarter-final appearances punctuated those two, gut-wrenchingly disappointing Euro finals.
Pride of the Palace: Southgate has many admirers among all those who worked with him at Selhurst Park
But during the course of the past month in Germany, the expectations of the English public and sections of the media began to weigh all-too-heavily on the broad shoulders of Southgate, the former Crystal Palace apprentice.
“We all want to be loved, right?” Southgate, his voice cracking slightly with the emotion, had said at one press conference during the tournament, after he’d had beer mugs chucked at him by his own fans as the England team had drawn a game to top their group.
Criticisms of Southgate’s defensive-minded approach to the game had been building over the past three years, even as he and his team were on their way to a Euro final at Wembley that was only decided on penalties. The vicious backlash against some of the young players, the black guys, who missed penalties betrayed the true thoughts of some of the nastier elements of English society.
Southgate, who knows all too well what it is like to miss a penalty in a big England game at Wembley, was there with a consoling arm for his players.
Southgate’s loyalty towards his players was also a criticism that grew over the course of Euro 2024, as long-standing picks such as Harry Kane (thought to be struggling with a back injury throughout) and Kyle Walker continued to appear on the team sheets at the expense of others.
The manager’s substitutions – too few, too late – were also subject to widespread disapproval from the millions of armchair football coaches up and down the land. So when Southgate brought on Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins late in the semi-final, and the duo combined for the late winner, he was able to say, “We got that right, didn’t we?”
‘We got that right, didn’t we?’: subs Watkins and Palmer combined for the late winner in the semi-final against The Netherlands
The expectations of the nation, though, have always been too much. Pop songs that lament 30 years of hurt are 28 years old now, after the pressure of the England manager’s job has crushed Ramsey, Bobby Robson, Graham Taylor (out of his depth), Kevin Keegan, Steve McClaren (see Taylor), Roy Hodgson and proved beyond foreign imports such as Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Cappello.
Southgate, an interim when appointed, lasted longer than most, achieved far more than all but one. He ought to enjoy a rich, treasured legacy. He certainly deserves it.
Like careers in politics, though, the job of an England football manager always ends in failure.
Southgate leaves behind probably the most talented squad of men’s footballers ever to wear an England shirt – and he had a role in cultivating them, from his time working for the FA as under-21s coach. It will be for Southgate’s successor to find a way of getting the very best out of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, of Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton.
Southgate’s resignation statement was, typically, graceful and dignified. He could, after all, have justifiably left it as just “Fuck you!”
He did not. Southgate said:
“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.
“But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager.
“I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.
“I could not have had anyone better alongside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation, and has been immense.
“I have had the privilege of leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.
‘We all want to be loved, right?’: Gareth Southgate showed his emotions
“The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football, and understand the power football has to drive positive change.
“My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant ‘team behind the team’.
“We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be.
“I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.
“Thank you, England – for everything.”
Twenty years ago, or so, one senior England player said of the FA’s decision to appoint Swedish iceman Eriksson as England boss, “We needed Winston Churchill but we got Iain Duncan Smith.” That player was Southgate.
It has to be hoped that his own replacement is more like El Tel Venables, and less like turnip Taylor. There is a German manager currently without a job who has vital experience of English football, has won the biggest trophies in club football, and has a reputation for getting the best out of exciting, attacking young talents.
Let’s hope that the FA picks the right one…
Read more: From Selhurst to Berlin: Southgate on brink of true greatness
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Not likely
It’s called FA for a good reason