It is believed that Gareth Southgate will be awarded a 4-year contract, having been officially interviewed by the FA in the last few days. However, despite much clamour for the former Middlesbrough boss to get the job, I am not so convinced.
After England’s 3-0 victory over Scotland on Friday 11th November, it was claimed by those in the media, that Southgate “couldn’t have done anymore” to land the job.
Yes, an unconvincing 2-0 win over the Maltese minnows, an undeserved point in Slovenia and a highly flattering 3-0 win over a poor Scotland side had swayed the masses. It was now so glaringly obvious that Southgate had to be the FA’s man to turn the almighty mess that is the England national team, around.
In fairness, England did put in a promising display against Spain last Tuesday. However, in typical fashion, they surrendered a 2-0 lead, starting from the 89th minute, to succumb to a disappointing 2-2 draw. It was, without a doubt, the most promising performance of Southgate’s interim tenure. Although, I still wasn’t convinced.
England met a Spain side without the likes of Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, David De Gea, Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Diego Costa. Quite a prominent list of absentees! Also, as we have seen before, friendlies aren’t a great barometer for judging a side. Who remembers Roy Hodgson’s England team defeating Germany 3-2 in Berlin, with a sensational come from behind victory just before the European championships, last summer? The Spain players were doing their best to avoid injuries before returning to their clubs, and even then, England still couldn’t win the game.
My scepticism is born mainly out of Southgate’s time as the England U21’s manager. With an admittedly small pool of players to choose from, he has failed to achieve enough of his targets. His style of play is typically English, and frustrating to watch, for those who like entertaining football.
Managers at that level are generally judged on their side’s performances at the U21 European Championships. Southgate led England to one final in the Czech Republic, in the summer of 2015. After receiving a run-around in a 1-0 defeat to Portugal, getting a fortuitous 1-0 victory over eventual winners Sweden and succumbing to a highly damaging 3-1 loss to Italy – his charges crashed out at the group phase!
He did slightly redeem himself by winning the Toulon Festival last summer. However, he led an England U23 side to victory over admittedly weak opposition. The only other genuine competition for the Young Lions came from a Portuguese U19 squad (which was actually an understrength one) and a U19 French side – whom England struggled to see off in the final. All that considered, it was barely a masterstroke. Perhaps, a pair of impressive qualification campaigns for the U21 finals, has aided his cause but as we all know, qualification performances must be matched in the actual finals!
Southgate’s only previous job had come when Middlesbrough offered him the opportunity to replace Steve Maclaren, in 2006. McClaren’s departure for the English national team, had left the North-East club with a dilemma, mid-season. You could compare the situation to the one he could now face with England.
He took over the job, having only finished as a serving player for the club, at the end of the previous campaign. Despite being thrust in at the deep end for his first position in management, Southgate fared reasonably well. However, he had the fortune of taking over a side which had made great strides under Maclaren – making a UEFA Cup final and winning the League Cup. In 2009, Middlesbrough were relegated under Southgate, just as he had been beginning to blood a group of exciting youngsters.
After a 2-0 Championship defeat at the hands of Derby County in October 2009, Southgate was relieved of his duties. He was replaced by the now Scotland manager, Gordon Strachan. Many claimed the dismissal was harsh, as the team were sat just one point off first-place.
However, when you look at his CV, a failed U21 European championship campaign and relegation at Middlesbrough – don’t make for great reading. Both of his managerial jobs to date could be described as up and down. His ventures so far have been far from disastrous but have they really provided enough evidence that Gareth Southgate is the man to lead the almighty task of steering the English national team out of the mire? He is less qualified than Sven-Göran Eriksson, Steve Maclaren, Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson were – and we all know how their reigns ended.
The view from many, though, is that it would be a seamless transition as Southgate is already a part of the system. Is that a good thing, though? He is a part of a rancid system which stinks of failure and has overseen crisis after crisis. Surely England need a man who is not a part of the current system. Someone who will come in with new ideas, and really begin the process of change.
I also have doubts about whether he has the right personality for such a challenging job. During his reign as interim manager, despite coming across as articulate and reasoned during most interviews, he did seem a tad nervous and shaky at times.
As we all remember, Southgate showed a great deal of mental strength to step up for England’s 6th penalty in the semi-finals of Euro 96, against Germany – though it was probably ill-advised. He was also appointed Crystal Palace captain at a very young age. The defender also took the armband at Aston Villa and Middlesbrough – meaning he captained every club he represented. You don’t hold such positions without having something about you, of course.
My feeling though, is that he may not be the type of leader needed to take on one of the most high-pressure jobs in world sport, right now. What England need is a man with major guts, who completely backs himself and who isn’t afraid to lay into the players when he needs to. I don’t associate such things with Southgate, unfortunately. He is more of a quiet, calm leader.
In all of this, I am aware that there are few alternatives. Right now, Jürgen Klinsmann – who has just been relieved of his post as United States manager – is the only other serious candidate for the job. With that in mind, though, Southgate should just be handed the role until next summer. By then, many top managers may have become available, including possibly Arsene Wenger!
In the four games during his interim role, Southgate didn’t produce enough to earn a 4-year commitment. However, it appears as if that is what the FA will offer him. If all goes well, the 46-year old will lead England at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where the true test of his credentials will take place.
