Daily Mail

STONES: I’VE SEEN GARETH’S DARK SIDE

- By SAMI MOKBEL

JOHN STONES insists Gareth Southgate has a ruthless streak and disagrees with the notion that he is too nice to become England manager. Manchester City centre half Stones is well-placed to discuss the managerial merits of Southgate, having made 12 appearance­s for his England Under 21 side.

The 22-year- old former Everton defender, who moved to City for £47.5million in the summer, says the interim boss can be cold-hearted when required and has what it takes to step up following the unexpected departure of Sam Allardyce last week.

‘He’s got the toughness, being a defender I think it is in his nature,’ said Stones. ‘Every manager knows when to use the ruthless streak in telling the players what they need. Sometimes it is not what they want to hear and I have experience­d that with Southgate in the Under 21s.

‘I have been in situations in games where we weren’t playing well and doing what he wanted and he came in at half- time and told us and we turned it round.

‘It is a great quality to have. But mainly it is the winning mentality in him. We all want to win things with England and it didn’t happen in the summer but it is a fresh start leading up to the World Cup.’

Stones believes Southgate has a great chance of securing the England manager’s job on a full-time basis. The 46-year- old has been England Under 21 manager for three years and last summer won the prestigiou­s Toulon Tournament, England’s first victory there since 1994.

‘ Can Gareth be permanent manager? I can’t see why not,’ said Stones (right). ‘ He knows all the players, he has been in the set-up and he has been great for the Under 21s.

‘ In the summer he got silverware in Toulon and it is a new challenge and chapter for him and I am sure he will be relishing the chance with England and working and trying to do his best in these four games.’

Stones revealed that Southgate held talks with his squad on Tuesday night as he got to grips with the role for the first time.

Stones said: ‘He always does. At meal times and down time he’s always making time to spend a few minutes, whatever amount of time it is, to see how you are, how you’re doing with your club football and what he expects from you. I think we all know what we expect from each other. It’s good to have a one- on- one conversati­on with the manager and see what his thoughts are and where we are moving forward. ‘ He brings great calmness to the group and he is always talking to every player individual­ly. ‘ It’s good for a manager to do that, to spend time and give advice to individual­s. ‘ Every manager speaks to a team as a collective but I think the lads really appreciate when he speaks one on one and gives advice on good and bad things.’

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