Southgate looks to Lioness coach who won Euros for inspiration

THE manager who led the Lionesses to glory has been privately swapping messages with Gareth Southgate as England’s men seek inspiration from their female counterparts.

Sources in the England camp have revealed that Sarina Wiegman has been in “regular contact” with Southgate as he attempts to emulate the Lionesses’ Euros victory in July, when they beat Germany 2-1 after extra time.

Wiegman was credited for her methodical and positive style while leading the Lionesses to the first English major tournament win since 1966. The source would not reveal whether Wiegman has been offering tactical advice or simply encouragement to Southgate behind the scenes.

“Sarina and the Lionesses are supporting from afar,” the source added, as Southgate’s team tonight battles France for a place in the World Cup semi-final.

Wiegman, a former PE teacher and Dutch women’s international, last month gave a message of encouragement to the men before they flew out to the World Cup, but has not spoken publicly since.

“I just hope they’re doing really well and they are able to enjoy it too and get through to lots of stages [in the tournament],” she said.

Millie Bright, who was part of the Euros-winning squad, has also offered words of advice for Southgate’s players.

“My message would just be to take every second in and just put the work in on the training pitch and just enjoy every minute of it,” she said.

However, Lionesses forward Beth Mead has said she would not support the tournament in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.

Mead, who is in a relationship with her Arsenal teammate Vivianne Miedema, said: “It’s not something I will be backing or promoting. We’re in the 21st century and you fall in love with who you fall in love with. It doesn’t matter who they are.”

England and France will meet tonight at the Al Bayt Stadium, with Morocco or Portugal facing the winner in the semifinals on Dec 14.

Didier Deschamps, the France coach, yesterday suggested that the England team had “no weaknesses” as he hailed Gareth Southgate and said the Three Lions manager was underappreciated in England.

Deschamps said at a press conference: “Not everyone appreciates him so much in his own country, that isn’t because he wasn’t a good footballer himself – he had a long and distinguished career and he is also a very good coach.”

In Doha, France supporter Julien Abbassi, from Paris, was seen wearing a hat with a plastic baguette attached.

The 40-year-old business owner said he felt confident ahead of the quarterfinal tie and showed off his France flag containing three stars – two for the World Cups Les Bleus have already won, and one in anticipation of victory in Qatar.

Asked for his prediction for the match, Mr Abbassi said: “For you guys, you reach semi-final, the final but then there’s always this fear of penalties, of ‘we’ve got a good generation but maybe they’re not going to reach the final.”

Andrew Whittaker, 30, who lives in Doha by way of Liverpool, said he has a “funny feeling” of an England win.

The claims and cost consultant said: “It’s the first test. They’ve always played lesser teams and done well and when it’s come to the big game they’ve always fallen a bit short.

“So hopefully this time around it’s third time lucky.”