Gareth Southgate the right man to end England’s hoodoo, say Emile Heskey and Glen Johnson

SINGAPORE - Tactically inept, slow to react with substitutions and an over-conservative style of football.

While these are some common criticisms directed at England team manager Gareth Southgate, former Three Lions internationals Emile Heskey and Glen Johnson offered a contrarian viewpoint – that Southgate is an excellent man-manager.

On June 16 (June 17, Singapore time), England kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia, banking on Southgate’s unifying ability to lift their first international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

Heskey, 46, told The Straits Times: “Everyone keeps pointing fingers but he got us to a semis (2018 World Cup) and a final (2020 Euros). You can’t do that being a poor manager. His qualities are bringing the team together. It doesn’t seem like there are any factions in the squad.”

After all, Southgate’s track record speaks for itself. The 53-year-old has led them to three major international tournaments and has never faltered before the quarter-finals stage.

He also holds the second-best win percentage (61.1 per cent) of all England managers to have managed at least 10 games since 1946. Only Fabio Capello (66.7 per cent), who won 28 out of 42 matches between 2008 to 2012, has a better record.

Johnson, who played under Capello and amassed 54 caps, said the players are enjoying their football under Southgate.

“We never had free time, we couldn’t see our families. That’s what the manager thought at that time, which is fine. But I think that’s what Gareth has done well, he’s brought a group together,” said the former Chelsea right-back.

While previous England squads boasted the likes of David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, the dressing room of the “golden generation” was often fragmented with big egos and personalities.

In a 2022 interview with English radio station TalkSport, former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who made three appearances for England from 2008 to 2009, spoke about his alienation from the squad.

He said. “There was this big, long, table – and you’d never sit on the left-hand side of the table where you had Rooney, Beckham, Rio, (John) Terry, Ashley Cole, Michael Carrick. You knew you couldn’t sit there!”

Heskey added: “We never figured out how to break that down. It wasn’t until later when we looked back and said, that was probably a problem.

“You have the Liverpool, United and Chelsea players sitting together separately. We thought it was normal. But you look back now and say, no, you weren’t cohesive.”

Football legend Leicester City’s Emile Heskey (black) at the press conference for the inaugural Singapore Festival of Football, May 16, 2023. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

With the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka spearheading England’s charge this time, Heskey believes club factions are a thing of the past.

The 62-capped player added: “This generation grew up in different surroundings. Social media is a great ice breaker and bringing people together. They talk to each other on a regular basis on social media so they’ve got a connection.”

For Johnson, he believes luck also played a role in England’s past failures, adding: “It takes one accident or slip or random goal, it can knock the game sideways. We had a fantastic side, but this team is fantastic as well.

“It’s different times, but England is always going to have a top team that goes deep into tournaments. Gareth hasn’t really put a foot wrong. Some of the things that have gone against him, it’s not really his fault. He’s done a good job and should hang around for a while.”

England are still the bookies’ favourites to win the Euro 2024, despite defensive frailties with the exclusion of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw’s questionable fitness.

Former England defender Wes Brown believes the squad can go far in the competition.

The 44-year-old said: “Jude Bellingham will be key in midfield if he is able to assert himself. This is a very good squad that attacks and defends well and knows how to get the best out of each other.”