Southgate praises impact of City boss

GARETH Southgate has thanked City manager Pep Guardiola as he prepares his squad for the World Cup.

The Blues boss has supplied four title-winners for the England campaign, but it is his openness and willingness to speak to the Three Lions manager that had made a big impression. Guardiola, who saw Spain win the World Cup while he coached in La Liga and Germany four years later while he was in the Bundesliga, has been happy to discuss his players with the England chief throughout the season to keep Southgate informed of anything noteworthy.

“He’s having an impact with his team playing in a manner which is different to anything else we’ve seen at the top end of the game,” he said.

“I always talk about us not getting off the island, so it’s great we’ve had coaches coming on to the island to help us.”

Southgate also believes that the impact felt from Guardiola’s time as Barcelona manager is still being felt in grassroots football in England.

“Who coaches our youngest players? It’s dads and parents who coach junior teams. The impact of seeing that Barcelona team five to seven years ago was enormous.

“He’s been an innovator. When I watch kids’ football now, when they can get on pitches that aren’t flooded or frozen, I see them playing out from the back. I don’t see (coaches) with heads in their hands saying ‘get it forward’.”