Despite the semis loss, England has a new hero in coach Southgate
The country is swooning for the English manager
England lost to a tough Croatian team in the semi-finals on Wednesday, dashing hopes of the country’s first World Cup finals since 1966. But fans have found solace and pride in Gareth Southgate.
Even in defeat, the country is swooning for the English manager. It’s got an over-the-top crush. The 47-year-old in the natty waistcoat is the prodigal son, the underestimated man, whose story of redemption has inspired a nation.
The Telegraph newspaper compared Southgate to Winston Churchill. Seriously.
Before the tournament began, few thought England would play this well. And most fans believe the improbable rise never would have happened without Southgate. He took young players to the brink of greatness. The coach said, “They’re nowhere near what they are capable of.”
Southgate is football. But he is bigger than football here.
Britain has been going through a rough patch. The country has been tying itself in knots over its decision to leave the European Union. Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet is in revolt. Add to that attacks with Soviet-era nerve agents out in the countryside and huge demonstrations planned to greet President Donald Trump today.
Southgate offers hope that everyone will be able to get it sorted. “Our country has been through some difficult moments recently in terms of its unity,” Southgate said. “But sport can unite.”
Of many stirring moments for England from this World Cup tournament, there’s one that catches in the throat. It came after England beat Colombia on penalty kicks.
Long memories
As the fans went bonkers with the win, Southgate sought out the Colombian player whose miss had given England their victory. As Mateus Uribe covered his face in shame and disappointment, and wept, Southgate put his arms around him in consolation.
The gesture was not lost on fans with long memories. For famously, in the 1996 European Championship played in Wembley Stadium in London, it was Southgate who missed the crunch-time penalty kick that gave Germany the semifinal match, and later the title.
“I was the person who had ended a nation’s dream,” Southgate wrote in a memoir. “I knew this would be a major issue for the rest of my life.”
Now life had come full circle. The English manager hugged it out.
“He showed a nation how to behave,” wrote John Crace in the Guardian.
— The Washington Post
Our country has been through some difficult moments recently in terms of its unity. But sport can unite.” Gareth Southgate » England coach