southgate has turned down World Cup pundit work because he did not think it would help England. The 55-year-old said he wanted to keep out of the way as the team begin another major tournament without him on the touchline.
Southgate and England
He said he took a conscious decision not to do television work this time, after spending the last seven World Cups in front of the game as a player, broadcaster, scout and manager. Southgate added that he did not want anything to be misconstrued or thrown at England at press conferences, and finished his message with: “Good luck to all the boys”.
England open their World Cup campaign on Wednesday at 21:00 BST in Arlington, Texas against Croatia. They then play Ghana on Tuesday, 23 June at 21:00 BST and Panama on Saturday, 27 June at 22:00 BST.
England After Euro 2024
The decision comes after Southgate resigned when England were defeated by Spain in the Euro 2024 final. He led England for 102 games over eight years, guiding them to the finals of two European Championships and the 2018 World Cup semi-final.
That record puts him in rare company. Sir Alf Ramsey remains the only other England men's manager to have taken the team to a major tournament final, and Southgate said the current squad has already been through enough to arrive at this World Cup with confidence.
“I know all the big knockout nights that we've had mean they are going to be full of confidence going into this tournament. They have overcome so many hurdles to winning - penalty shootouts, semi-finals, got so close - and they are ready to win.”
Ramsey And Bellingham
Earlier this week, Jude Bellingham spoke about “expectation” and about players needing to feel “loved” during England's Euro 2024 run. Southgate closed his message by saying, “Hope everybody has a great month - and I'll be staying out of the way.”
For England, the immediate change is simple: one of the country's most prominent former voices will not be part of the television discussion around the team. For Southgate, the choice keeps his focus on stepping back while England start again in Arlington.
