MY ACCOUNT
Gareth Southgate says he “will not outstay” his welcome as England manager as he once again hit back at criticism over his team selections.
England reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018, the final four of the Nations League in 2019 and were runners-up at last year’s Euro 2020.
Yet despite that, there have been continued calls for Southgate to adopt a more attacking approach by fielding the likes of Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold more often.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Nations League clash with Italy at a behind-closed-doors Molineux, however, Southgate refuted the idea that he is not gung-ho enough.
“I’ve got to find a balance because I don’t want to sit and be defensive, but some people have managed teams and others haven’t,” he said.
“Until you’ve managed teams, you have a different view of the game.
“What’s needed to win football matches are the sorts of things [Mason] Mount did on [Joshua] Kimmich that allows other things to happen.
“For the man that comes and stands on the terrace and pays his money, I totally understand he wants to see a Grealish with a [Raheem] Sterling with a [Bukayo] Saka.
“But you’ve got to have a balance of the team, this is top-level football.”
Southgate was appointed permanent England boss in November 2016 and signed a new deal seven months ago that runs through until the end of 2024.
“I’ve got to manage in the way I see fit. I won’t outstay my welcome but I think I can do a good job for the team, and I think we’ve done a good job for the team,” he added.
“I think we’ll continue to improve the team, which we’ve done over a consistent period of time, and we’re also developing young players that will leave England in a good place.”
England followed up a 1-0 loss to Hungary with a 1-1 draw away at Germany in their opening two Nations League matches.
Only once before, between July and September 2018, have the Three Lions failed to win three in a row under Southgate.
Asked why he felt the need to bring up his future, Southgate said: “If you look back, I’ve always said it.
“I am not going to be here forever, am I? There will be another England manager… that’s how I have always felt about it.
“The major part of that is how the players are. Do I still feel the players give everything and respond to what we do? Yes, I do.”
