Germany ideal opponents as Southgatethgate looksloo for blueprint for England revolution

It’s fitting that Gareth Southgate’s first game in charge of England since he became the permanent manager of the national team is against Germany on Wednesday. While it might only be a friendly, it’s the fixture that has the most significance for England.

Take the last meeting between the nations just under a year ago. To everyone’s surprise it was the Three Lions that came out on top against the world champions, sealing a 3- 2 comeback in stoppage time. The win was seen as proof that, going into the European Championships, this was England’s year.

It wasn’t, of course. Going out to Iceland was a low point even for England – a country that the new manager points out has only won three knockout games at major tournaments in 27 years. That cut- off point comes after their loss to West Germany in the semifinals of the 1990 World Cup, and the next best performance from England was on home soil at Euro 96.

Southgate needs no reminder who knocked them out in the semis of that – his penalty miss against the Germans was a key factor in that failure. The Germans went on to win that tournament and in the 21 years since they have enjoyed continued success.

Germany have finished second, third, third and winners at the last four World Cups along with runners- up and consecutive semifinals in the last three Euros. England, meanwhile, have been sent home early at all of them.

That Germany’s recent success at major tournaments comes from 2002 onwards is no coincidence.

Their lowest point – a 5- 1 loss at home to England in World Cup qualifiers – kicked off a revolution that has reaped dividends. In that time, England have continued with their big- name managers on big money. Until now. Southgate is the breath of fresh air that England need if they are to change their soccer fortunes, and those who were not overjoyed at his appointment should reconsider. He’s already proving that he is his own man and willing to make big decisions if he believes them to be right. It’s a new start.

Out of this squad for Germany and Lithuania are Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott, both of whom have been mainstays for a decade. No matter that Rooney is the captain of his country and its record scorer, or that Walcott has had his best return on goals in a season in recent memory.

In are James Ward- Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Michael Keane and Michail Antonio, who could all get their first caps. Players are either picked on form or because Southgate knows them from the under- 21 setup. But no one, including the manager, is there on reputation.

Win, lose or draw on Wednesday, the result doesn’t matter. But if Southgate’s new- look England can go on to win a couple of knockout games in the next three years, this friendly could be when England started to get serious.