He’s been public enemy number one, the nation’s hero, a waistcoat-wearing fashion icon, and a man who reignited England’s love of their national team.
And now at Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate is a manager with the weight of the world on his shoulders. With a golden generation of talent at his disposal, Southgate is expected to end England’s 58-year wait for international silverware this summer.
So, can he do it?
Can he end England’s five decades of hurt?
Can he dispel the demons of his own infamous Euro 96 penalty miss?
How will Gareth Southgate finish his England story?
To kick things off, let’s go right back to the start of Southgate’s England story – Euro 96. Back then, the future manager was a fresh-faced defender with just four caps to his name, and was probably the least recognisable player in the whole squad.
The back pages leading into the tournament had instead been saved for superstars like Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne, Teddy Sheringham, and dentist chairs like the one the England players had been pouring vodka down their throats in over in Hong Kong on the eve of the tournament. Different times, eh?
By the end of the summer, Southgate had replaced them all in the papers…but perhaps not in the way he’d hoped.
Despite his lack of experience, Southgate was thrust into the England starting lineup throughout the group stages, being chosen as the man to play alongside Tony Adams in the heart of the defence.
Things went pretty damn well to start with.
Southgate helped England to a number of solid defensive performances, with the team conceding just two open play goals en route to the semi-finals. The defender’s outing against Spain was particularly impressive, being labelled by Sir Bobby Charlton as having been ‘world class’.
Southgate and a bang in-form England side, fresh off the back of breaking their penalty hoodoo against Spain and spurred on by fans singing ‘Football’s Coming Home’ – this is when that all started if you’re wondering – were expected to see off their old enemies Germany at Wembley Stadium in the semi-finals, and book their place in a first final since 1966.
After a cagey 1-1 draw however, England’s Euros 96 fate was to be decided on penalties.
10 penalties came and went, all scored. Then, in sudden death, up stepped Southgate.
After a very, very long run-up and a…
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