Gareth Southgate: England boss receives dreaded vote of confidence from the Football Association

WEDNESDAY’S BIG STORIES

THE DREADED VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

Gareth Southgate has received the dreaded vote of confidence from Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt. Anyone who has ever played Football Manager knows this only goes one way from here: the sack.

This is what Hewitt had to say.

“The bit people don’t see as much is the Gareth at camp and the culture he’s created,” she said.

“Certainly, prior to Gareth being the manager of England, there was not the pride of wearing the England shirt. There were the club rivalries we’d read about. The players not getting on. He’s changed that beyond recognition and I’ve seen that first hand.

“I’d also say that I don’t just work in football, I work in business and I’ve worked with a lot of chief executives and Gareth’s skills — his high IQ and high EQ — would make him a chief exec in any sphere.

“That resilience and accountability (are) the two qualities I admire most. There are no slopey shoulders, he doesn’t huff, he’s resilient and that’s what you want in an England manager.”

Every last word of this statement is spot on, but – Football Manager quips aside – it should not have to be said. Yet, given how toxic the discussion is about Southgate – who, it seems it must be reminded, has led England to a semi-final and a final during his tenure – it needed to be said.

As argued yesterday by Ben Snowball, fans need to remember what a sorry mess the Three Lions were ahead of his appointment. Here, though, is a reminder in list form:

2004: Portugal penalty shootout mess
2006: Scored one penalty in Portugal penalty shootout mess, the sequel
2008: Didn’t even get there mess
2010: Wayne Rooney has pop at fans mess
2012: Joe Hart gets Panenka-ed in another penalty mess
2014: Finished bottom of group mess
2016: Finished behind Wales in group and dumped out by Iceland mess

Granted, the Nations League campaign could be going better. However, two points of perspective are needed here:

They are glorified friendlies