Inspired by Atomic Kitten (2021). Southgate You’re the One. Sony Music.

Photo by Different Resonance on Unsplash 

Ok, so I’m being a bit cheeky with this one really as I’m just going to use the title of the song, but you’ll see why. As I write this England are about to start another World Cup campaign, our first major competition without former manager Gareth Southgate, Yet, whether we won, drew or lost, people always seemed to have strong feelings about the former England manager Southgate.

I always found Southgate’s story and approach fascinating and inspiring. Missing a penalty for England in Euro 96 at Wembley, Southgate clearly felt distraught. England went out of the tournament and Southgate had to find a way of dealing with his disappointment and his part in the loss.

Not too long later, Southgate featured in an advert for a pizza company making fun out of himself over the miss. I loved his strategy, rather than backing down he faced up to what had happened and owned it.

Career wise, he did similar, continuing to play for England in the following two major international tournaments and making the step up from player to manager at Middlesbrough. Although the team got relegated, Southgate stayed and attempted to bring the team back up, albeit with less resources than they previously had when he took over. Again, a mark of the man, never backing down from a challenge, throwing himself into what presented itself full on.

The team were competitive in their attempt to get promoted straight back up but after a run of three home defeats a home win couldn’t prevent Southgate being dismissed. But again, rather than feel sorry for himself Southgate used the time well and after four years out of football took over as England youth team coach, and eventually was promoted to first team manager.

Whenever I have seen Southgate on TV, I've seen a man who is resilient, focused and considered. Throughout the ups and downs of his career he has demonstrated a strength not to be put off course by the thoughts or actions of others, or his own mistakes. But instead had chosen to use his experiences as something to learn from and to choose to be resilient to the judgement and criticism of others.

Whatever the result for the post-Southgate England team in this tournament, I’m inspired by Southgate’s character and hope the team will benefit from his legacy.

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