Gareth Southgate has emerged as such a consummate international manager it is easy to squint back through history and kid yourself this was the plan all along. A man who led England to a World Cup semi-final then asked what needed to change before his team could take the next step. Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice at the expense of Jordan Henderson shows Gareth Southgate’s ruthless side (Reuters)And yet Southgate can be ruthless. And if it hadn’t worked, England would also have lost, and that would have hurt Southgate more than any tabloid assassination. Because Southgate is a player’s manager.

Source: Metro July 07, 2021 07:17 UTC