Attack, but work! What will change most after Southgate leaves the England squad?

After eight years, Gareth Southgate’s era with the England national team is coming to an end. Although the Albion manager has been rather in tune in recent months, he has reached at least the last eight at all four major events, including two Euro finals. What will the coach’s departure change?

• Southgate surpassed the 100 game mark on the Albion bench during the Euros
• First manager in history to lose two European Championship finals in a row
• He was criticised in England for boring play and infrequent rotation

If Gareth Southgate’s tenure could be summed up in one term, expediency would probably fit the bill. England have had nominally strong rosters in previous decades, but have mostly burnt out in tournaments. That hasn’t happened to her under Southgate, although often the result has been subordinated to less handsome play.

Freeing up the legs of the forwards

Both the European finals and the World Cup semi-final in Russia provided England with team performances. Star alongside star in attack, but a line-up often down to three stoppers, with two outside backs and a defensive centre midfield to boot. Often only three offensive players could fit into the lineup, but it worked.

Even the lucky chosen strikers were not left by Southgate to devote themselves purely to the offensive. Harry Kane had to defend at the Euros, Bukayo Saka was withdrawn from the right wing to the wing-back position, even filling in on the left side of defence.

Whoever replaces Southgate, we can expect more room for offensive aces. If any national team by name can afford to loosen up the defence a little and add to the attack, it is definitely England’s. Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon will be seen more!

No more hot seats

Southgate was paid to be not only a defensive coach but a conservative one. This was confirmed at the Euros, where apart from the centre backs he basically didn’t touch the line up. For a long time, he put the Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips duo in the middle of midfield, even though they were struggling on the club scene.

But they had others under Southgate for sure. Phil Foden’s Euro didn’t work out, yet he started in the starting lineup every time. The exhausted Jude Bellingham didn’t even make a substitution, and the coach didn’t have the courage to go on the offensive, even though there were Premier League stars on the bench, until the semi-finals of the tournament.

Source: England national football team