As he prepares for England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands in Dortmund, manager Gareth Southgate faces the days that will define his legacy.
He experienced a wide range of emotions in Germany. From the hostility and beer thrown at him after the draw with Slovenia, in Cologne, to the dancing in front of jubilant fans after the quarter-final victory, on penalties, against Switzerland, in Dusseldorf.
There is a growing belief that Southgate’s eight years in charge will come to an end after Euro 2024, whether after Wednesday meeting with the Dutch or a final against Spain in Berlin on Sunday.
England’s performances have been indifferent, but a mix of steely resilience and individual brilliance has seen them through to the semi-finals, with the tantalizing prospect of two contrasting conclusions to the tournament, and perhaps to Southgate’s tenure.
If England lift the trophy at the Olympiastadion on Sunday, Southgate will go down in history after 1966 World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey as the second manager to lead the men’s national team to success at a major tournament.
If his team goes to the Dutch, Southgate will be the coach who consistently guided his team into what was strange territory for so long, namely the latter stages of major tournaments, but failed to get them over the line to eventual triumph. .
England’s victories against the Netherlands and Spain would provide Southgate’s definitive answer to questions about his tactics and conservative approach, which spanned his eight years despite an unprecedented record of taking them to three semi-finals. and to a final – the Wembley penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Euro 2020.
The caveat to all this is that England were unable to overcome the final hurdle, which is why so much depends on events at the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday.
Southgate struggled at times in Germany, his voice wavering and wavering when asked by BBC 5 Live Sport whether he was hurt by the criticism following the Slovenia game.
He visibly bristled when asked whether England had been placed in the better half of the draw, calling it “a classic example of the right we have as a nation to create drama and irritate our opponents”.
He did not lose his composure publicly, but there was a tension and anguish in Southgate that was not present at other tournaments. Of course the criticism hurt him.
“This is a job where you are ridiculed and your professional ability is questioned beyond belief,” he said. “I also don’t think it’s normal to throw beer at you, but my life has led me to a lot of resilience and made me more determined. I’m just using it as fuel.”
After all, England won Group C almost despite themselves. The small number of people who threw beer behaved unacceptable and lacked the respect due to Southgate.
His delight in reversing the furious reaction to the victory over Switzerland was evident from his impromptu performance in front of fans who had turned against England and the manager during and after the group stage draws against Denmark and Slovenia.
Southgate also complained about the media – only doing their job of informing and not participating in Euro 2024 as cheerleaders – for revealing formation changes before the Switzerland game, referring to “our own media leaking tactical information two hours after we had out of training camp.”
This, more than anything, suggests an England field that had not been as tight as in previous tournaments and appeared, at times, stable, at least at the start of Euro 2024.
For all this, the Three Lions are in the semi-final with the chance for Southgate and his players to write a glorious new chapter in their sporting history.
He cut a relaxed figure at his media briefing at the Westfalenstadion, suggesting there was a different mood and dynamic within the squad as they progressed towards Euro 2024.
Southgate said: “One of our strengths over the years has been to be less fearful, to show less inhibition, but at the start of the tournament the expectation weighed heavily and the noise from abroad was never so loud. We couldn’t get our act together.” right.
“Now what matters is what is possible and not what can go wrong. This is now the opportunity to make history. We are trying to break new ground and that is not easy, but the players have been resilient.”
The manager has also received praise for his work, as former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC 5 Live Sport after reaching the semi-finals: “Gareth Southgate proved a lot of people wrong in this tournament. I’m really happy he talked about beer being thrown at him in certain games and whatever… that’s not the way to treat an England manager.
“You think about his record as England manager. From the last four tournaments, three semi-finals and a quarter-final, with a final as well. There are people saying he’s not an inventive manager and he’s a terrible manager, he’s done that again. Gareth South, great.”
England face an old foe in Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, who played in the 3-1 victory over Sir Bobby Robson’s side at the 1988 European Championship in Dusseldorf but was also a famous figure for his involvement in the World Cup qualifiers. of the World between the teams in October 1993.
Koeman dragged David Platt back when he was clean with a goalless score, escaped with just a yellow card and scored a free-kick five minutes later as England – needing just a point to qualify for the 1994 finals – went down for a damaging defeat 2-0 defeat. He had ended his international career before England’s stunning 4-1 victory at Wembley in Euro ’96.
In his second spell in charge, Koeman has led the Netherlands to the semi-finals and looks increasingly confident and dangerous after recovering from a 3-2 defeat to Austria in the group stage. They will present a severe examination.
But England and Southgate find themselves two games away from history.
And the history books would simply record England’s achievement – not how they played to write that new chapter.
It will either end in Euro 2024 glory or another bitter disappointment of Southgate and his team failing once again. This is at stake in Dortmund.
