Gareth Southgate is England’s most successful manager behind Sir Alf Ramsey himself. He’s become an iconic figure since taking over in 2016 and has completely changed the look, feel, and vibes surrounding the England side. Whether you love him or hate him; nobody can argue his influence on English football. Let’s take a look at some of the statistics behind the man himself; in one of the most difficult jobs on the planet.
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Winning – The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Football is all about winning. People who tell you otherwise are losers.
When Gareth Southgate took over back in 2016, England had just been knocked out of the European Championship by Iceland. Roy Hodgson was the manager at the time and only managed to muster one victory at that tournament. In Brazil in 2014, it was a similar story as England crashed out at the group stage failing to win a game. At major tournaments, Roy’s win percentage was 17%.
Southgate’s win percentage in major tournaments is 59%. These statistics aren’t to put the boot into an ageing Roy Hodgson, just to exemplify how far we’ve come, with Southgate being a big factor. In fact, there is only one England manager with a better overall win percentage than Southgate, Fabio Capello.
Shockingly, the Italian beats some great names like Sir Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson. At 66.7%, he might have looked like he hated every moment (it certainly felt like it too), but Capello is the only one ahead of Southgate, who has an overall win percentage of 61.6%.
There have been moments where it has felt like Southgate’s had the breaks on. The general criticism has been his cautious nature and defensive style, especially in the big games. But, it’s working. England are winning games and consistently going far in tournaments. The only one to do it better is Sir Alf, who won the damn thing.
Losing – An English Tradition
Losing is part of football, especially if you’re English. Without a major tournament victory since 1966 (as if you needed reminding), the wait still goes on.
In Southgate’s reign, we’ve seen 14 losses and 19 draws. Only Walter Winterbottom (28), Bobby Robson (18), and Alf Ramsey (17) have had more defeats. While this is partly due to the longevity of his managerial career with England, the success is sprinkled with moments of frustration and despair.
One of the criticisms consistently directed at Southgate and his time in charge is his cautiousness. Playing with a defensive setup, sticking with players he knows well, and a loyalty to players that have proven themselves can sometimes be frustrating. With quality talent waiting to come through and a plethora of young attacking options, Southgate’s system and style can seem stodgy.
In the big games, tournament quarters, semis, and finals; England have thrown leads away. Could Southgate be braver with his changes? For all of England’s amazing squad depth in the quarter-final defeat to France, he failed to make a change until the 79th minute, giving the subs little chance to make an impact. During England’s loss in the 2018 World Cup to Croatia, it was a similar story. He bought on Raheem Sterling in the 74th minute giving him little time to make an impact.
During clutch periods, Southgate has stuck to his starters and played a system that doesn’t accommodate his attacking options. Could this be leading to England’s downfall in the matches that matter most?
But What About the Vibes…?
5 years ago during the 2018 World Cup, he was a man that could do no wrong. He changed the whole feel of the national side. Gone were the dark days of changing room fragmentations and supporter contempt. England seemed to be one big happy family. A clear goal and style. You can’t underestimate the important shift he has overseen. The national side’s identity has changed for the better and it’s bringing rewards in major tournaments.
He also likes working with a set system and sticks to keeping regular players rather than a consistent changing of the squad depending on form. This means it’s far easier for players to slot back in and understand their finer role within the squad. Playing the 3-4-3 or the 4-3-3 allows him to cover his defence with 2 holding midfielders. It’s a system that has been drilled into his squad and he likes to keep things consistent.
However, loyalty and consistency with this system do have their pitfalls. With most of England’s best players being attackers or attack-minded midfielders, it’s a system that doesn’t fit all of England’s most talented players. Especially with the two holding midfielders.
It’s defensively minded to its core. And the loyalty shown to players also means the fringe players don’t get many opportunities even if they are thriving at club level. His staunch defence of Harry Maguire is an example, of a player not featuring regularly at club level. Excluding players like Marc Guéhi, Lewis Dunk, and Fikayo Tomori could leave them frustrated and wondering what they need to do to get a chance.
What’s on the Horizon?
There will be life after Gareth. The likelihood is he will take England to the Euros in Germany at least, if not beyond. But, should he move on, here a few people tipped to be next in the queue for the toughest job in football:
Graham Potter: While his time at Chelsea chewed him up and spat him out, there no doubting what a quality manager he is. Overachieving massively with both Swansea and Brighton he is a brilliant man manager. Coaching young players and playing a fluid system, could he be the next man for the job?
Eddie Howe: Howe again has proved himself at the smaller clubs in the Prem. A great coach that drills his sides well. Defensively solid and free-flowing, depending on how things continue at Newcastle, he could well be in with a shout.
Pep Guardiola: Yeah, right. Apparently, this is real. I will have to see it to believe it. But if it does come through it would be a monumental shift. The greatest of all time in charge of England. It would be incredible, and if Pep can’t win anything with England, no one can.
Lee Carsley: Current England under-21s manager and an all-around good coach. The same with Gareth, who has been part of the English system and knows how it all works. Leading the under-21s to victory in the European Championship in 2023, he knows the score, could he be next?
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