20 Feb 2024 21:07:10
A little off topic but something I've been wondering about for a few months. Then I read where the FA wants to keep Southgate through the next World Cup.
What are people's thoughts on his running the national side. Personally I don't like him. His selections are strange and his tactics are pedestrian.
I would rather England go in a different direction.
20 Feb 2024 21:46:10
He has done better than any other person that has ever had the job except for 2 people. Alf Ramsey and the Russian linesman.
English managers are rubbish. Never one English manager has ever won the epl. Not sure the English understand football very well at all really.
20 Feb 2024 21:48:18
Honestly couldn’t care less about England
A yes man who should of won something with that squad.
20 Feb 2024 22:02:53
For me the thing that sums Southgate up to a tee was a few weeks back, when Newcastle played Luton and something like 13 English players started the game. Southgate was in Holland watching Jordan Henderson. Why?
I’m not in the least bit surprised about it and it sums him up.
Tactically he’s way too defensive for my liking, the English Ole. It’s a crying shame given the players he has available.
With Germany, Spain and Italy currently going through something of a dip in terms of their usual quality, now may be the biggest opportunity for some time. But I fear the chance is being wasted by the out of touch FA, and the yes man they love to employ.
20 Feb 2024 22:28:47
The last English manager to win a league title, Howard Wilkinson with Leeds in 1992.
Who is the best current English manager, O'Neil, Howe, Wilder, Dyche, Rosenior, Robins. Not a lot to pick from.
21 Feb 2024 03:50:12
Gary O'Neil is probably the best from that bunch Grim, he is doing a great job with Wolves. Honestly though I think Carrick might make a good England manager, but I don't think he's ready for it yet.
21 Feb 2024 07:56:06
To be brutally honest, international football has become so boring I rarely bother to watch it now. The halftime adverts often excite me more than the footy.
21 Feb 2024 09:00:28
England after France have to be fav to win the euros with Portugal as with an outside chance. This is the best group England have had in a while but not as good as the English media make them out to be. TBH I only tune in to watch the knock out stages as the group games are boring.
On a different note, I am Hoping they leave Mainoo alone and he gets the rest he needs at his age this summer. Plenty of time for him to play international football later.
21 Feb 2024 09:15:09
Imagine what Pep could do with this England squad then compare that to what Southgate is doing.
Given the players he has available to them, whoever is England manager should be winning the next Euros and the next world cup. Narrow defeats to France in the final maybe excusable given the quality of their squad.
I fear Southgate will win nothing and waste this generation of brilliant players by picking players such as Henderson and Phillips.
Just for interest, who would be in your England team? I'd go for:
Pickford
Walker
Stones
Dunk
Shaw
Rice
Foden
Bellingham
Saka
Kane
Palmer.
21 Feb 2024 09:24:02
Definitely was a safe pair of hands when he took the job over.
Average manager with a very good team. He has achieved more than previous managers with how far we have got in tournaments but it could be argued that this was inspite of him rather than because of him.
Not sure who would step up once he leaves, would not be surprised if the U21 manager took over as I think he is well respected by the England hierachy and again would be a known comodity. Outside the norm, could Mourinho feel like it is time to take over a national team!
21 Feb 2024 10:29:57
Never really been sure about Southgate.
He has got an amazing team to select from and should definitely be winning the EUROS this year. I have a sneaky feeling he may well do it as well.
21 Feb 2024 11:21:04
The friendlies are diabolical so I've stopped watching those. Far too many mediocre players getting testing out when I rather he'd stick to the same selection and let them gel. But I've enjoyed watching Southgate's England in recent tournaments and we really should have won something.
21 Feb 2024 12:52:43
He's done better than most. He gets that it's about the team and not just crowbarring in the big name talents.
He's ignored talented players like Sancho and Greenwood due to concerns over their attitude and how that would effect the camp. Probably rightly so.
He's resisted the urge to pick TAA despite him being technically one of the most gifted players. Probably due to the weaknesses in his game that force you to set up around him which is not a good way to play.
If there is a criticism of him it is that he can be slow to react in game and he maybe could have shown a little more courage/ attacking intent in key moments which have cost England at major tournaments.
I wonder if having a more offensive minded assistant on the bench next to him could be useful. Someone to give him a nudge and make suggestions. Although it'd have to be someone he trusts and will listen to otherwise they would just be a distraction.
21 Feb 2024 13:44:34
I find him a fortunate manager, he's got a talented squad, he gets kind draws in competitions and there's not as many powerhouse international teams as there has been in other eras .
Hes efficient at winning games he really should be winning but becomes too cautious against teams who offer a threat back .
The two defensive midfielders he uses is probably because of England's only obvious weakness which I think is centre defense but I think lots of fans would long for him to get more aggressive in big games and be willing to go toe to toe with more fancied teams as there's the talent available to do that .
21 Feb 2024 15:56:14
Always thought of him as a typical 'clipboard manager'. Nice guy, done OK, but a company man.
21 Feb 2024 16:30:17
I think he is very safe and probably can be regarded as a defence 1st coach.
He has done better than any other England manager for 60 years.
The only people who ever expect England to win are the English. I don't think any other country has any fear of England and unless they are playing Russia or North Korea the rest of the world (in the main) wants them to lose so it's not an easy job.
21 Feb 2024 17:32:49
I believe England are in group c in the euros . The relevance of that is the winners of group c can not play any other group winners until atleast the semi final .
There is no guarantee england will win that group and they could still catch a good team even if they did, if a fancied side finished in an unexpected position in their group .
There does appear to be an achievable pathway to do well though.
21 Feb 2024 22:21:00
Southgate can stay at England as long as he doesn’t come to United at any time. Ole Gunnar Southgate has a flaw that is his attitude being don’t lose first. Fortune favours the brave and to win big tournaments you have to score goals and win games, tip margins in your favour, not try not to lose them. Southgate is the try not to lose first.
22 Feb 2024 20:47:33
Yes I could not think of anything worse, then Southgate coming to United….
23 Feb 2024 05:22:28
He’s done a fantastic job for England. Suited well to international football. I think we do need an upgrade now, and I’d put in Eddie Howe once the Geordies get restless.
23 Feb 2024 12:20:27
I can think of 1 man worse.