None of them are scared of playing for England, for a start, which is such a huge weight off. And a lot of that is due to having someone like Southgate in charge, whose not only young enough to be at least vaguely identifiable to modern players (having played in the modern era) but also experiencing the very worst you possibly can as an England player, and coming out the other side like it’s not actually (shock horror!) the end of the world.
And I know that, cos I watched an interview with him where he said precisely that. That he sat the whole squad down before the World Cup and made a big point of it, saying basically “I’ve done the thing you’re the most worried about doing, and at the end of he day, I’m now your boss.”
I don’t think he’d make a remotely good club manager though. I don’t think he’s that good with tactics or implemented philosophy, but he is a great man manager and motivator. Especially for this particular England team, due to his Under 21 days. And yet it’s just sheer dumb luck that we’ve ended up with him, because Big Sam drank a pint of wine and got done by a tabloid.
Just imagine the alternative Universe where he was still in charge? And the glorious gilded hoof ball we’d be playing. I mean, it’d almost be like watching United!