Quiet man Southgate is getting it right

– Hailed for his man-management, openness with a critical press and putting his faith in youth, Gareth Southgate has avoided the pre-tournament pitfalls that have hurt his predecessors as England manager.

However, the real test of his abilities to lead his country on the biggest stage will come when England face Tunisia in their World Cup opener in Volgograd today.

When Southgate was promoted from his role as Under-21 manager in the wake of a scandal that saw Sam Allardyce sacked after just 67 days and one match in charge last September, the appointment was labelled by many as uninspiring and a safe option.

Yet Southgate’s tenure has so far defied expectations. Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere were among the more experienced names jettisoned as he picked the third youngest squad on show in Russia.

Off the field, he has fostered a relaxed atmosphere while also facing up to difficult issues such as fears over racial abuse in Russia and leftback Danny Rose revealing on the eve of the tournament he has suffered from depression.

Southgate also drew the sting from the only media storm to blight their preparation when Raheem Sterling was criticised for a tattoo of a gun on his leg.

“It’s his calmness, the way he handles situations within the group and difficult situations that always occur before tournaments,” said midfielder Eric Dier.

“I think the squad really appreciate that and we have massive respect for the way he does it.”

The opening games against Tunisia and Panama offer the chance to have qualification for the last-16 sealed before they face Belgium.

Warm-up wins over Nigeria and Costa Rica stretched England’s unbeaten run to 10 games, going back a year, and including impressive friendly results against the likes of Brazil, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

But questions remain over whether Southgate has the ability to change a game in England’s favour.

His previous managerial experience amounted to just over three years at Middlesbrough that culminated in relegation from the Premier League, and his England under-21 side boasting Harry Kane failed to get out of the group stages at the 2015 European Championships.

Southgate, though, seems determined to erase the fatalism that has come to define England in a 52-year wait for success at major international tournaments.

“That’s been a danger in more recent history thinking about what the problems might be, how it might feel if it goes wrong, we know all of that. Frankly I’ve dealt with it in the past,” he said when selecting his squad.

Near-perfect preparation complete, Southgate needs England’s first win to start a tournament since 2006 to keep the feel-good factor going. – AFP

Also see Pages 27 & 28.