We are just a few hours away from the Euro 2024 finale where Gareth Southgate’s England can grab silverware and show why English football is amongst the very best. But Spain and Luis de la Fuente will prove to be their biggest test as the three-time Euro winner will look to add yet another trophy to their cabinet.
Southgate’s time with the English side has met with a wide range of criticism, a repetitive theme around the England squad. Many questioned whether he was the right man to get the best out of the squad which has been bursting with talent. But the former England international has managed to show that while his style of play might not be pretty, it certainly can get the job done.
Regardless of the result of the big final, the England FA will have to decide whether they continue with Southgate or replace him with someone else. If this is truly his last game as the manager, where does his legacy stack up amongst the others who were in the same role?
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The former Irish international and current technical director of the I-League’s Southend United, Terry Phelan looked back on the managers of the old and looked to bring some perspective on what Southgate has contributed through his time as the England manager.
Phelan during an interaction with Sony Sports Network ahead of the big final recalled some of the memories he had when he was younger and believes that the likes of Sir Alf Ramsey are at the very top when it comes to achievements. He also credited Sir Bobby Robson as well for bringing a rejuvenating touch to the English side with the likes of some legendary names like Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker among others.
“Sir Alf Ramsey won the World Cup, so you know he’s at the top of the tree isn’t he? Look at the players he had playing for him then you know if you go through that 1966 side, they’re all wonderful players. Jack Charlton, an ex-manager of mine played in that team, who coached me under the Republic of Ireland and got to multiple World Cups and Euros. So, you know, different eras, different times,” he said.
“Bobby Robson was wonderful for what he did with England he brought a breath of fresh air through that England team in Italia 90 (World Cup 1990) and we know what Bobby brought you know he had wonderful plays in Gascoigne and Lineker and Terry Butcher but you know cultures and times have changed now,” he added.
Phelan by no means intends to say that Southgate has done either. He praised him for stepping up for the job during a time when no one wanted to take responsibility.
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Under Roy Hodgson, a group-stage exit in the 2014 World Cup followed by a Round of 16 exit against Iceland in Euro 2016 and to top it all off, the end of the golden generation as well, it could not be tipped against you any further. But Phelan has suggested that Gareth may have brought a more structured approach to this England side.
He said, “I think with Gareth you know, nobody wanted the England job when he stepped in and he took one of the hardest jobs in world football by the way the pressure that’s on him and the players but if you look at Gareth at this present time like I said earlier on he’s probably gone into the English FA with a blueprint it says look this is where I see us in this in year one, year two and so on”.
He added, “It’s about the players he’s brought through the younger players he’s brought through and all as well as the clubs you know and what the academies have done, and the English coaches have done at them academies he’s brought them through now to a different level you know”.
Despite the record that Southgate has with the England side in tournaments, he has been widely criticised for a variety of things. The criticisms include the lack of boldness in his playing style, his poor substitutions and many more across his stint. But Phelan begs to differ, in fact when it comes to international football, all that matters is whether you get the win and not the style they go about it.
“We talk about he’s not doing this stuff with Foden and but he’s not playing at Manchester City he’s playing at the England squad where the manager wants certain things off him. We know he’s got qualities; they’ve all got wonderful qualities but they’re not playing in the EPL they’re playing in an international tournament which you need to win and how you win that makes no difference you know whether you win it on penalties or you win it with a stroke of luck which England have done so I think with Southgate,” Phelan commented.
Historically, Spain has been the better contender over the English if compared across club and country. With de la Fuente’s side showing some fluid and direct football with youngsters Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the wings, many expect the game to be an easy affair for the Spaniards, but Terry Phelan suggests that it might be a more even contest.
“We can’t really mock him. He’s in his second final he could go on and win this tournament. Everybody’s expecting Spain to go in there and really give England a good hammering. And that begs to differ because I wouldn’t see that happening,” Phelan concluded.
Watch Spain vs England in the UEFA EURO Final on 15th July 2024, 12:30 AM IST onwards, LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD (Malayalam & Bengali), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu).
Stay updated with the latest from Euro 2024. Explore Euro 2024 Match Today. Check Updated list of Highest Goal-Scorer in Euro 2024. CheckEuro 2024 Points Table and Euro 2024 Match Results and Euro 2024 Match Schedule .
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