A reflection on Southgate’s England: people before players

So, England are in the final of the Euros and Gareth Southgate is being praised by the nation's football pundits and fans. Popular opinion shifts quickly. Last week's pauper has become this week's prince.

England's Euro 2024 campaign has been a remarkable journey, a testament to the team's resilience. They stealthily advanced into the final, overcoming their underperformance in the earlier matches. Their journey, filled with moments of brilliance, is a source of inspiration and pride for the nation. The secret to their success? Southgate's approach of treating his squad as men, not machines.

For three games in a row, England have gone a goal behind, but each time, they have found a way back and gone on to win. It happened when Bellingham produced a stunning flying header for the winner against Serbia in their opening group game against Serbia, most notably with the spectacular overhead kick against Slovakia just as England's cases were being packed for departure. In the quarter-final against Switzerland, Saka, England's best player on the day, took the game to penalties by cutting in from the right to find the back of the net. In the semi-final, it was a ninety-first-minute winner by Ollie Watkins, resulting from a pass by Cole Palmer, a combination of two substitutes who had just come onto the pitch.

Despite a slow start, Southgate's team have demonstrated a unique corporate resilience that has underpinned moments of brilliance from players with exceptional individual ability. This resilience, unique to recent England teams, is a source of pride and admiration for the team and its supporters.

After the victory over Switzerland, Alan Shearer's words on the BBC resonated with the nation: 'Togetherness is worth its weight in gold, and Gareth Southgate and his players have clearly got that in abundance.' This sense of unity among the team and its supporters is not just a feeling, it's a powerful force that we all are part of.

Regardless of public and pundit opinions, Southgate has consistently praised his team's 'resilience' at Euro 2024, as they found a way to get results and keep progressing through the tournament. 'We have found ways with all the obstacles, different challenges', said Southgate. He added that his England team has been far more successful than most previous England teams over the past seven and a half years. 'We haven't always got it right, but in general, we have shown the resilience that teams that win tournaments have had for years - Italy, France, Spain. It is not all pure football; it is other attributes they have had.'

Southgate is spot on. His teams are not easily beaten, with a record of one quarter-final, one semi-final and two finals in his four major tournaments as manager. His leadership has instilled a sense of community, camaraderie and confidence among the players. They still have to leap that last barrier and win a trophy, but they are in a strong position under Southgate's guidance.

After the Switzerland game, Southgate celebrated with supporters following the 'difficult personal' criticism he has faced in Germany. 'I can't deny that when things get as personal as they have, it does hurt. I don't think having beer thrown at you is normal.' Then he added, 'Every now and then, surely there has to be some enjoyment in this job. I love the players and sharing that moment with them. But we are in the third semi-final in four tournaments. We will keep grinding, keep fighting and keep enjoying this journey,' Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live.

England are now in its second Euros final in a row. The public is happy. For now. It'll be fascinating to see how people respond after the final. The decision is already made for those of us involved in professional football. Gareth Southgate treats his squad as people first, players second. That is the real victory.