Yesterday it was announced, unsurprisingly, that Gareth Southgate had resigned as England manager.
Southgate was one of England’s best managers ever, second only to Sir Alf Ramsey, who won the World Cup in 1966. He reached two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final, but fans were fed up with his dull football and publicly criticised him.
After a goalless draw with Slovenia in the final group stage, some fans threw plastic beer cups at him during regular time. Throughout Southgate’s tenure, social media has been filled with complaints about his playing style and tactics, with fans and former players pounding away at their keyboards.
Southgate is not the first England manager to be subjected to abusive criticism. Sir Bobby Robson and Graham Taylor have both been subjected to appalling behaviour from fans and the press. His teams have not played the fast-paced, attacking football that many have longed for, but the results have been dismal.
It was often said throughout the tournament that England were “lucky”, and perhaps for good reason. They needed two last-minute equalisers and a penalty shootout to reach the final, but England have had their fair share of such moments in the not-so-distant past.
In Italia ’90 – a tournament that England fans still look back on with rose-tinted glasses – Bobby Robson’s side drew against the Netherlands and Ireland and narrowly won 1-0 against Egypt. They needed a last-minute David Platt goal to beat Belgium and twice came back from behind to beat Cameroon to reach the semi-finals.
At Euro 96, Switzerland drew 1-1 with England in their opening game of the tournament, while Spain had two perfect goals ruled out in the quarter-finals.
During Gareth Southgate’s eight years in charge, he has amassed an impressive record. Of his 102 games in charge, he has won 61, drawn 24 and lost just 17. The real successes that will be remembered forever are the European Championships in 2021 and 2024 and the 2018 World Cup.
What about England now? Names like Eddie Howe, Jurgen Klopp, Graham Potter, Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino have been suggested, and I think Jurgen Klopp has to get the nod.
Klopp’s style of football will be a great help to the national team, and his personality shined in the Premier League during his tenure as Liverpool manager.
Graham Potter and Eddie Howe are similar to Southgate, and I think the only English candidates are possible. The FA persuaded David Dein to appoint Sven-Goran Eriksson early in the millennium. Fabio Capello has not been able to replicate his success in club football, but if Klopp is the man to lead this team, it could be third time lucky for a foreign manager.
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