Should He Stay, Or Should He Go?
In November 2016, Gareth Southgate was appointed head coach of England following a successful spell as interim boss, after the departure of Sam Allardyce the previous month. Southgate returned to the national team for the second time after playing for them for nine years – 1995-2004 – and featuring in the 1996 European Championships, 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 European Championships. But, he is most known for his penalty miss in the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championships.
Southgate went on to lead England to their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years in Russia – going out in extra-time to Croatia – before a Euro 2020 final defeat on penalties against Italy. And, earlier this month, taking them to the quarter finals of the 2022 World Cup, where their journey was cut short by cup holders France. Surely, England fans want him to stay?
Earlier in the year, England competed in the UEFA Nations League and that has to be one of the poorest performances I have seen them put on; winning zero matches out of a possible six, drawing three and losing three. After the Hungary defeat, the travelling England fans booed Southgate when he came to thank them for their support. Southgate was now taking his squad into one of the most prestigious tournaments of all time, quite unpopular. If he did not do well, then I am sure he would not be popular amongst the fans; he would have felt pressured to leave as well. As stated, they were knocked out in the quarters. After the defeat, it was rumoured that he was going to leave; However, in the morning of the 18th December, BBC announced that he was going to stay put until the 2024 Euros. On hearing this news, I thought that he was crazy to stay as he will be disliked by many across England – most of the people I talk to are not fond of him. And, nobody will have confidence in him anymore after winning no silverware with the club. He has had his chances with us, with no success, so I believe it is time for him to just resign and stop disappointing the people of England. It clearly is not working with him in charge anymore, and it is time for somebody else to have the chance at winning a trophy for the first time in 56 years.
I think his decision on staying is absurd. Obviously he knows he is not favoured, yet he wants to stay. Maybe he is only staying because he wants to be remembered as the manager who wins a trophy for the first time in over half a century, instead of the player that lost the Euros for them. He has formed a brilliant team and he has taken us far into competitions; however, it is becoming disheartening to watch and I believe that it is time for him to go.