The rise and fall, and rise again of Gareth Southgate

England are through to a historic second Euros final in as many tournaments - but for Gareth Southgate it hasn’t been an easy journey. The football manager faced calls for his resignation during this tournament. Have the team’s recent poor performances clouded our memories of this once national hero?
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[@boink800]

Sven only got them to the quarter-finals. This is Gareth's second European Final, no other England manager can match this. Great job, Gareth. And thanks for the stability in the England team. With that much needed stability, England are only getting better and better.

[@paullim4886]

Southgate is a brilliant manager...bold to make wise drastic changes...regardless of critics and unpopular...brought in new young talented players to replace ageing senior players...renewal a talented younger squad...LOVE HIM...AMEN

[@dpelpal]

That was what Putin looked like when he screamed his "Kyiv in three DAYS" bit

[@boink800]

And watch those Russia 1 tv clips with those Russia 1 tv pundits repeating "Three Days".

[@dpelpal]

@@boink800 Yes I am Russian I remember him scream his "Kyiv three days" and it is embarrass me

[@paulc1553]

Let's go England!

[@Andygb78]

3-1 to Spain. Just like the 2011 Champions League final between Manchester United & Barcelona.

[@Matthew-bu7fg]

But with the team he has, you'd expect England to get to the final.
Praising Gareth Southgate for getting to the Euros final would be like praising Pep Guardiola for reaching the FA Cup Final after knocking out Cheltenham, Sunderland, West Brom, Leeds, Fulham and Burnley en route
Spain is his first real test. Just like Croatia was his first real test in 2018. Just like Italy was his first real test in 2021. Just like France was his first real test in 2022.
He has failed at every real test he's had in a major tournament. Stop basking in his glory. If he wins on Sunday, they he deserves the plaudits. If he loses, he rightly deserves the criticism.

[@Real-qk6pm]

Well the criticisms levelled at Southgate about his tactics, formation and stubbornness were fair to bring up, and a lot of us had seen this England before, all the signs looked like another disaster. And of course this does not excuse the behaviour of some fans going way too far. But he's responded well lately, the formation change has worked, the players are clicking more, and his subs in the last game were spot on. Can we beat Spain? Probably not but I’ll back the lads all the way.

[@vincentblack7467]

Never hear the last of it if their win, off people like Diana Abbott say its because we have black players...

[@paulc1553]

First!

[@dhakpanda6708]

Dope