Gareth Southgate leads England into the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland, marking his 100th game in charge. Despite speculation about his future, Southgate remains focused on securing a semi-final spot.
Bollywood Fever: England’s quarter-final clash with Switzerland at the European Championship on Saturday marks a significant milestone for Gareth Southgate, as it will be his 100th game in charge. However, the England manager insists that this impressive achievement is the last thing on his mind.
“I’m very proud but it is the least important stat of the week,” Southgate said on Friday. “The only thing that matters is it is a quarter-final and my complete focus is to get my country into another semi-final. I’m sure in years to come I will look back and reflect with great pride. But at the moment it is the last thing on my mind.“
Southgate’s 100th match could potentially be his last, with speculation rife about his future due to the team’s lackluster performance in the tournament so far. “It is a fact of life,” he said about the rumors surrounding his position. “If you are in one of the most high-profile jobs in world football then there will always be speculation, assessment of what’s going on, so I am not worried.”
Reflecting on his career, Southgate added, “When I was a younger manager trying to forge a career you are worried about if the first job doesn’t go well there won’t be another job. So you are worrying about failing and getting the sack. Now I am older, I’m 53, I’m not worried about losing or what will go wrong. We have the chance to get into a semi-final. It is a positive thing to focus on. It has been my mindset for quite a while now.”
Southgate faced heavy criticism following England’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia in the group stage, with fans expressing their frustration. “I’m sure that will have motivated (Southgate) that bit more,” defender John Stones commented. “Everyone who has spent time with him and knows him as a person, knows how hard he and his backroom staff work. So, definitely, we want to win for them, ourselves and our families and everyone in the nation.”
Since taking over a team in disarray in 2016, Southgate has been credited with creating a positive culture within the squad. England is the only European side to have reached the quarter-finals of the last four major tournaments. Their best-ever run in the European Championship came in 2020 when they lost to Italy in a penalty shootout at Wembley.
As England prepares for their crucial match against Switzerland, the team and fans alike will be hoping that Southgate’s milestone match will be remembered for securing a place in the semi-finals and not for the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz’s Mental Strength Shines in Five-Set Wimbledon Thriller Against Tiafoe
WBC Expels Ryan Garcia for Racial Slurs and Disparaging Comments on Social Media
Jannik Sinner Cruises Past Miomir Kecmanovic to Reach Wimbledon Fourth Round
