How Gareth Southgate learned to cut out the ‘outside noise’ and ignore the critics
Gareth Southgate claims he has become hardened to the criticism he faces as England manager and is determined to do things his way at the World Cup however unpopular that may be.
To add to the growing sense that he could leave his role after the end of the World Cup, even though he is contracted for two more years, Southgate said he has “come here to enjoy this tournament” and argued that it is England’s best chance of winning it.
The Football Association fully expect Southgate to stay and take England to the next European Championship, in Germany in the summer of 2024 with a qualifying campaign beginning in March, but sources suggest that is more in the balance than has been recognised even if he wins the World Cup.
Southgate has said he is comfortable to be judged by what happens in Qatar.
Inevitably Southgate was under scrutiny again, over his tactics and substitutions, and in particular his decision to leave Phil Foden on the bench, following the flat goalless draw against the United States which could have ended in defeat.
If England had won they would have guaranteed top spot in Group B but must now negotiate the final, emotionally-charged tie on Tuesday against Wales, who need to win to give themselves any chance of reaching the last-16.
The draw against the US also gives Southgate less opportunity to rest players, in what will be England’s third game in eight days, as he had planned to do.
‘I know what the noise will be but we crack on’
“The objective is to qualify. You get three games to do it. We have been fortunate in the last two tournaments that we have done it [qualified] after two [games]. That is very unusual,” Southgate said.
“I kind of know what will be going on. I know what the noise will be but we crack on. This is a tournament like no other for noise and we have got to make sure that we stay really calm… When you have had as much flak as me you are not really bothered about having a bit more.”
Southgate has learnt to deal with it: first as a player – that miss in the penalty shoot-out in the semi-final of Euro 96 is never far away – and now as a manager.
Nevertheless he was unsettled by the attacks he came in for last summer when England endured a dismal Nations League campaign, failing to win any of their four games and then neither of the two they played in September. But, since then, he has learnt to live with it and has found an equilibrium.
Southgate expected more of the same after the US draw and despite England having overwhelmed Iran 6-2 in their opening game which has left them still in control of the group. They were, he said, “savvy”, in ensuring they did not lose to the Americans.
“I am lucky. I am locked away in a hotel with no telly on. But I don’t need to see it because I know what it will be,” Southgate said.
“It is a deliberate disengagement. Because if I listen to everything, I either go bonkers or you start to doubt yourself and you listen to too many things.
“I am clear on how we need to be and on decisions we need to make. We won’t get every single decision right, and so if there is criticism of certain calls, then so be it. But if you had said to me four points from the two games, goal difference where it is, then I knew [USA] would be a tough game. We have to go again.”
Southgate, certainly, is transmitting a relaxed demeanour in Qatar and appears someone at ease with his destiny – whether England succeed or fail and whether he stays or goes.
Finding a way to deal with that criticism, he said, “is another layer of learning and toughening up” during his six years as England manager.
Southgate added: “I have had enough experiences over the years to have stood me in good stead for this job. I have come here to enjoy this tournament as much as I can and make sure that that is emitted to the players because I think that gives us the best possible chance of doing well.”
The FA are desperate to keep Southgate and it is unlikely that situation will change even if – unlikely as it is – he fails to get England out of the group where they will play one of the Netherlands, Senegal or Ecuador in the last 16.
Although Southgate maintains he will be judged on this tournament, despite taking England to the semi-finals in Russia in 2018 and reaching the final of Euro 2020, the FA believe he has a huge amount of credit in the bank.
However there will be a huge amount of debate on whether Southgate is taking England forward should they not reach the final of this World Cup, even if that expectation is irrational, which is coupled with an understanding that he himself may feel it is time to go after taking over in 2016 with the Three Lions at their lowest ebb.
