Gareth Southgate: England have won over the world – now for our own fans
Gareth Southgate is proud the worldwide perception of the England national team has changed even if he feels it is a different story in his own country.
England secured qualification to Euro 2024 last month and will be amongst the favourites to taste success in Germany next summer, especially given recent showings in major tournaments.
After Southgate guided the team to fourth place at the 2018 World Cup, they were runners-up at the last Euros before they suffered a quarter-final exit at the World Cup in Qatar last year.
November camp. Let's go! pic.twitter.com/hcu5GkMvWX
— England (@England) November 9, 2023
With the Three Lions no longer viewed as a team built on passion and commitment, as well as boasting two of the world’s in-form players in Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane, the 53-year-old feels the nation’s technical ability is now recognised.
“That was one of the reasons I joined the FA 10 years ago to work with the Under-21s. We felt we wanted to do that,” Southgate said in reference to England’s perception.
“We have achieved that throughout the rest of Europe because when I travel I realise that’s how people now see us.
“We haven’t achieved that so much with our own public at times! But it’s interesting to see how we are viewed elsewhere.
“Without a doubt, that’s how we want to play. We were top scorers per game at the World Cup and we’ve been top scorers in qualifying for the two previous tournaments.
“We want the fans to come to Wembley to see goals and exciting performances – and we’ve had some good nights. We will keep trying to do that.”
Harry Kane, right, celebrates an England goal with Jude Bellingham
Bellingham’s goalscoring emergence in a more advanced role at Real gives England
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