One of the myriad challenges for an England manager is that there are millions of people who believe they could do a better job. Put them in charge, these aspirant coaches claim, and the Three Lions’ array of attacking talent would be unleashed to devastating effect. The plan usually amounts to: “Just run at ’em.”
As we have seen in recent weeks, major international tournaments are in reality a little more complicated. Those now questioning Gareth Southgate’s abilities might consider the pre-tournament stage of the narrative, which was effectively: “Who will England play in the final?” In that sense he has clearly become a victim of his own success. But the England manager has at times faced valid criticism. His decisions are scrutinised endlessly, and although they are based on multifarious factors, taking in unseen information from behind the scenes as well as detailed analytical data, there are some trends apparent to the more casual viewer – or amateur coach. What can be learned by refreshing the memory and rewatching his side’s three major tournament departures: against Croatia in 2018, Italy in 2021 and France in 2022?
