Ahead of Gareth Southgate’s fourth and possibly final tournament as England manager, it is remarkable just how little the discourse around him has changed in the past six years.
Ever since the dust settled on an unlikely fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the 53-year-old has been maligned as overly cautious in his tactics and selection, excessively loyal to underperforming players, and incapable of the kind of in-game tactical tweaks that is needed at the business end of tournaments. In short, Southgate’s critics say that he is holding back the most talented generation that the country has ever produced, and nothing short of bringing the trophy home will convince them that he is the right man for the job. No excuses, no ifs or buts, and no more years of hurt.
It is fortunate for England, then, that one of Southgate’s biggest strengths is his ability to cocoon his players from that
