Southgate you're the one!

England opened their Euro’s campaign with a morale boosting 1-0 win over Croatia. While Kalvin Phillips deservedly claimed the man of the match award, and Raheem Sterling took plaudits for his winning goal, the star of the afternoon was without doubt manager Gareth Southgate.

When Southgate took the England job following the departure of Sam Allardyce, he was almost a reluctant candidate, enjoying his job working with the under 21’s and acutely aware from his playing days of the pressures that come with being England manager. Southgate’s reluctance was only matched by the apathy from England fans who viewed Southgate as an uninspiring, and based on his previous managerial record, slightly underserving appointment.

However, in his time as England manager Southgate has proven himself as having many of the credentials needed to be successful in international football. He may not be the master tactician in the mould of a Capello he may not have the flamboyance of an Eriksson, but he is a solid and unflappable character with vast experience of international football and particularly the tournament environment.

Since taking over as manager, he has overseen a fairly smooth changing of generations. Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney were just two of a number of players that he moved on from with little or no controversy, something that has dogged previous regimes when they have attempted to move on the old guard. The way he ushered Rooney into international retirement while also allowing him the opportunity for a send off game, brought much criticism in some quarters but it was an act that typified the two-way respect that exists between him and his players.

It is this respect that has allowed Southgate to foster a relationship between him, his players and his staff that has brought a fresh perspective of the England football team. Gone are the club cliques within the squad, gone are the suspicions of the media, and in has come a sense that the players are united and enjoying representing their country. This was demonstrated in Russia in 2018 when he took his young side to the semi finals of the World Cup. The atmosphere around the squad seemed different, the relationship with the media was different and the connection with the fans was re-established.

Aside from this, the other quality Southgate has undoubtedly bought to the role is his tournament experience and how he as applied that to the managerial decisions. His studying, embracing and ownership of the penalty shoot-out scenario saw England more prepared than ever before in 2018, and they were rewarded with a win over Colombia. In that tournament he also rotated his team in the final group match, and mixed up his substitutes in the other games to ensure that all squad members were playing a part. This attention to detail is a skill that has allowed Southgate to match the achievements of Sir Bobby Robson and Terry Venables in reaching the semi finals of a major tournament.

His next aim is to emulate Sir Alf Ramsey and win a major tournament, and he has started this attempt at Euro 2021 very strongly. When he announced his team yesterday, criticism was widespread, and if social media is the barometer of the nations mood then Southgate was anything ranging from under pressure to deserving of losing his job. The bulk of the criticism concerned his team selection, Trippier at left back, Phillips in centre midfield and Sterling in the wide forward role were the subject of much of the anger with many wanting a more attacking line up containing Grealish and Shaw.

What Southgate did though went against his predecessors in the role and stuck to his own mind and principles irrespective of pressure from the press and public. He was aware that the defence is the most vulnerable area of his side, and he knew that in order to shore this up as much as possible he needed to select his best defenders. Walker, Stones and Mings due to injury were expected selections, but at left back the choice of Trippier was not universally acclaimed. Shaw and Chilwell both had claims to the position and much support, but neither are as experienced at international level or as defensively adept as Trippier, who won La Liga as part of a miserly Atletico Madrid side this season. By selecting Trippier, Southgate was prioritising a clean sheet over potential attacking balance given by a natural left footed left back, a decision proven correct as he produced a solid performance and linked up well with Sterling and Mount, particularly in the first half.

One of the major criticisms of Southgate is that he is too defensive, and these voices were loud before kick off as both Rice and Phillips were selected in midfield. The consensus was that selecting one of these players alongside Mount and either Grealish or Foden would allow more flexibility in selection in the forward areas. For too long England coaches have just picked the best players irrelevant of the benefit or detriment to the shape of the team. Southgate knew by selecting both Phillips and Rice, that he would have to sacrifice a player in forward areas, but he also knew that Croatia’s strength lies in the midfield area and that the ability to press, win the ball back and retain the ball in those areas would be crucial. There would be little benefit in selecting an incredibly attacking team that then struggled to have possession. Phillips and Rice provide a solid platform to go on and win the game. This was another sound selection from Southgate, England dominated the midfield battle for large parts of the game rarely left their back four exposed. In addition to this Southgate showed his tactical side by tweaking the position of Phillips to allow him to press higher up the pitch and make some penetrating runs, one of which created the winning goal. The selection of Phillips and Rice might not be popular, might not be exciting but they are logical and Southgate likes logical and reliable and who can argue with that.

Up front, Kane and Foden were again expected starters but many people preferred Rashford and particularly Grealish as the third front man. Southgate though stuck with Sterling, someone who has consistently performed for England, has a good recent scoring record for his country, and offers an alternative style of play to the others. Aside from his goal which was obviously crucial, his runs in behind, stretching the Croatia defence were vital in allowing the likes of Mount, room to play.

Even during the game people were calling for the introduction of Grealish, but again Southgate went for the safe options, stiffening up the midfield with Jude Bellingham, adding pace to the counter attack through Rashford, and introducing Calvert-Lewin to hold the ball up late on.

Its early days and this is only one win, there have been many false dawns before, but the calm, and focused approach of Southgate looks well suited to this England team and well suited to international tournaments, you never know!