CORONATION CHICKEN
Southgate’s fun-loving Lions in the mood for a hen party as they bid to make history
GARETH SOUTHGATE stands on the verge of establishing himself as one of the managerial greats of English football.
It is an unlikely rise to prominence for a coach who has always been happy to operate in the shadows, keener to shrink from the spotlight than crave it.
Maybe his own experience in Euro 96 and the heartbreak of missing in the penalty shoot-out is the reason he is such a reluctant hero.
But he can now push English football into uncharted territory by reaching the World Cup Final, a first for England on foreign soil.
Southgate, 47, has exceeded all expectations at this World Cup – and he insists that the players have got no intention of allowing it to end now. And they seem to be relishing the journey to the last four here in Russia – in training yesterday the highlight was a throwabout game using rubber chickens (with Jordan Henderson, above, and Dele Alli, below, taking part).
“We’re enjoying the journey,” the Three Lions coach confirmed.
“We came here to enjoy our football.
We’ve been one of the youngest teams in the tournament, the least experienced, and we were never sure how far we could go.
“But the improvement in the players and the hunger in them is very clear. We’re pleased with the intelligence they have shown and the style of our play. We’ve defended well, scored in the last minute, conceded in the last minute, come through extra-time and penalties.
“We’ve made several pieces of history. Biggest win in the tournament, first knockout win for 10 years, first quarter-final win for longer. We keep looking to break the barriers down. It’s been an enjoyable journey and we want to keep it going.
“For us as a team, it’s another chance to create a small piece of history. We’re only the second England team to reach a semi-final outside of our country and that’s quite significant. In 1966 we had every game at Wembley and that was a big advantage.
“We’ve got to keep getting over those hurdles. I know we talked about
KANETUCKY FRIED CHICKEN Harry Kane gets to grips with a rubber chicken England threw around in training
the success of the younger England teams but these are much higher stakes. Yet the belief is building.
“The more of these tests we can come through the better. Not just for now but moving forward too.”
Southgate and his players have provided a breath of fresh air for English football here in Russia. They have reconnected with the fans, a bond lost after the horror of the World Cup four years ago and the humiliation against Iceland in Euro 2016.
This England team has put a smile on the faces of its followers. This England team has captured the imagination. This England team has got fans swarming to Russia, with 10,000 expected in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium this evening.
But Southgate remains calm, his message delivered with a smile. “Our
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CROATIA Subasic, Corluka, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Modric, Peresic, Rebic, Kramaric, Mandzukic REFEREE Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey) country has had a long period of suffering in terms of football but we’re proud of the support we’re receiving,” he said. “The fans have renewed enthusiasm for the players, not only because of the way they’ve played but also because of how they’ve conducted themselves.
“Our country has been through some difficult moments recently in terms of its unity, but sport can unite. Football can unite.” But the England gaffer knows the size of the task that awaits his side in Moscow. “Croatia, for a country with a small population, has produced some incredible footballers,” he said. “We know the quality of their players.
“It’s a huge test. But at this stage we wouldn’t expect it to be any different.”