‘I’d prefer some front-foot football ’
Southgate has earned the right to decide when he leaves given his record. He’s taken us far in tournaments but it’s the stakes rather than the style of football which has brought excitement. Right now I’d take some front-foot football over being runners-up at a major tournament, even if that means going back to crashing out at the round of 16. I think his success should partly be measured in the seeds that have been sown for future England managers. The penalty win against Switzerland at the Euros was my best moment. There was a redemptive quality to it that had roots going as deep as the manager’s miss in 1996. Cathartic. Of the names the bookies are running with, I’d happily take Mauricio Pochettino or Thomas Tuchel. I would also love it if Arsène Wenger threw his name into the hat. Stephen Boden
