New Delhi: England’s head coach, Gareth Southgate, has been severely criticised throughout the tournament. After the dismal draw with Slovenia in the group stages in Cologne, Southgate has turned his team’s fortunes around and is now on the brink of redemption. Southgate’s selections have raised many eyebrows, but he has ensured that England is just one game away from ending the “years of hurt” for the men’s team, stretching back to the 1966 World Cup win under Sir Alf Ramsey.
Gareth Southgate’s decisions have come under scrutiny: both the ones he made and the ones he didn’t. Eyebrows were raised when he substituted captain Harry Kane and Phil Foden, who have been the prime forces of England’s side in the tournament.
However, the supersubs of Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer, with the clock ticking toward 90 minutes, justified his substitutions. He had the option of Ivan Toney for Kane’s replacement, but he picked Watkins, who proved to be a masterstroke, helping England reach their consecutive Euro final and their first-ever final on foreign soil.
England’s best football display silenced the vast Oranje fans who had rebuilt the part of Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion known as “The Yellow Wall”.
Southgate faced the heat from the fans and pundits for his over-cautious approach in the major tournaments, but he silenced his critics after the Three Lions booked their berth in the Euro 2024 final after beating the Netherlands 2-1. Gareth Southgate for the first time showed his emotions on the pitch for the first time on the field.
After the win, Gareth Southgate said, “If I hadn’t been on the grass, I’d have been watching, celebrating like they were. We are kindred spirits in many ways, but of course, I’m the one who has to pick a team. So to give them a night like tonight, it’s very special.” The story from him being pelted with beer cups to him getting applauded defines it all.
In the post-match conference, Gareth Southgate expressed his emotions, stating, “We all want to be loved, right? When you’re doing something for your country, and you’re a proud Englishman, when you don’t feel that back and when all you read is criticism, it’s hard. So to be able to celebrate the second final is very, very special.”
If England manages to beat the unbeaten Spain in the final, then this will be England’s first major title in 58 years. This will also prove Southgate’s naysayers wrong and make him an idol in English football history.
Gareth Southgate nears redemption as England reaches Euro 2024 final. Can he End England’s 58-Year Curse? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
