Southgate’s proven he has got what it takes to mix it with the very best

UNLIKE Roberto Mancini, Gareth Southgate did not wear the badge on his chest.

It was strictly smart casual, no logos, no lions. It was business.

This was about history, this was about his nation, but this was also about Southgate.

There are those in the elite coaching fraternity who have reservations about the

England boss’s tactical nous.

After all, his club management stint did not go swimmingly.

But even though this night ended in a gutwrenching defeat, there should be few doubts now.

Tactically, he got a lot right but his team were eventually beaten by the cruel lottery of a penalty shoot-out. No shame in that.

Just as there was, quite obviously, no shame in England’s tournament. And whatever you made of his approach to this final, no one could deny Southgate has somehow managed to get the best out of every single player under his care.

There have not been many tournaments in which every single member of an England football squad has enhanced their reputations – on and off the field.

Even those who have not kicked a competitive ball deserve acclaim.

To a man, all 26 players, including those who knew they were, realistically, destined for over a month of training, riding inflatable unicorns and little else, bought into Southgate.

There were no stories of disharmony or splits in the camp because, well, there was no disharmony, there were no splits in the camp.

And do not forget, these are characters who, pretty much to a man, are automatic choices for their club teams. Obviously.

At every tournament, we always hear about how there is an incredible spirit within the ranks but, this time, it was true. It was indisputable.

And that is why Qatar 2022 – from a footballing point of view, at least

– is already a mouthwatering prospect.

This is a collection of players that has a lot more evolving to do. Look at the starting line-up for the final.

We talk casually about the youthfulness of Southgate’s squad but, of the 11 that walked out to face Italy, seven started the World Cup semi-final against Croatia three years ago.

The average age was in the high twenties. He loves the youngsters, Gareth, but he likes a bedrock of experience, as well. He loves a tinker, too, resisting the temptation to name an unchanged line-up for the first time since that defeat to Croatia in Moscow in 2018.

He is not afraid of change but it is gradual, and one or two of the younger players will play more important roles as World Cup 2022 approaches. But there were no swan songs out there. Kyle Walker (left), the senior operator, is showing no signs of slowing down and Kieran Trippier remains a favourite.

No wonder. Southgate’s decision to start Trippier instead of Bukayo Saka raised a few eyebrows… but only for two minutes. Trippier simply has so much more invaluable experience than the teenager and that is what showed when he took his time to set up Luke Shaw’s sensational opener.

Before Southgate had time to fully button up his jacket, his decision to go with Trippier and Shaw in wing-back areas had been justified. No wonder he allowed himself a stern look of satisfaction.

There was, of course, still an awfully long way to go and, from then on, it was about his players managing the game for him, sticking to the manager’s system. And for more than an hour, they did exactly that, only to be undone by a set-piece and penalties.

Defeat will hurt, unimaginably. But Southgate did very little wrong here and had done very little wrong for the entire tournament.

We knew he was a great man. Despite this heartbreak, we now know he is a great manager.

There have not been many tournaments in which every single member has enhanced their reputations