Keown has full faith in Southgate
EXCLUSIVE MARTIN KEOWN believes Gareth Southgate has united the nation and is now ready to turn England into winners.
Ex-three Lions defender Keown reckons his former international team-mate (below) will show in the Euros final against Italy that good guys can come first.
Keown said: “Fundamentally, Gareth Southgate is a really well-balanced and likeable individual, who people respond to.
“He’s shown he can be ruthless at times – as all top managers have to be when they need to find a way to win.
“But Gareth is always respectful, always willing to listen and someone, who, I think, the nation has come to trust to do the right thing.
“I have never seen that in any manager before.
“There is always some element of discontent, either inside the squad or inside the media.
“Gareth has got everyone pulling in the same direction. The country has been united by football like never before. “I got the feeling, a few years ago, that our players were actually disliked.
“There was envy and a sense that our footballers had lost touch with the people.
“Gareth has given the national team back to the fans and the players have got the fans back in return.
“There is a togetherness now. Football has helped to unify the country and it must give the players a huge buzz.”
Keown now expects Southgate to give English football its finest moment since 1966.
He said: “The two teams are well matched – but I think England will win.
“Gareth is showing everyone that you can be a nice guy and be a winner.
“Can you imagine what an England victory would do for the future of football in this country?
“It would switch on a light for youngsters – both boys and girls – for years to come.”