Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder, has praised Gareth Southgate as one of the best coaches in the history of the English national team. In a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, Bellingham thanked Southgate and his staff for the great memories during his tenure. He described Southgate as not only an exceptional coach but also an unbelievable human being. Bellingham expressed his gratitude for the hope and joy that Southgate had instilled back into the country.
Alan Shearer, the former England striker and current BBC Sport pundit, also paid tribute to Southgate, acknowledging the immense turnaround he had achieved during his time as manager. Shearer credited Southgate for taking on a huge job and transforming the team from rock bottom to playing in semi-finals and finals. According to Shearer, Southgate’s legacy would be remembered for creating an incredible spirit within the team and reigniting players’ desire to represent their country.
Gary Lineker, the BBC presenter and ex-England striker, also thanked Southgate for his contributions. Lineker acknowledged that Southgate had brought pride, respect, and togetherness to England, something that hadn’t been seen for a long time. He commended Southgate’s humility, decency, and dignity in the way he carried out his job.
Several current England players joined in paying tribute to Southgate on social media. Declan Rice, the Arsenal midfielder, expressed his gratitude for the privilege of playing under Southgate’s guidance and the lasting memories he had created. Jordan Pickford, the Everton goalkeeper, also thanked Southgate for believing in him and wished him all the best in his future endeavors. Harry Maguire, the Manchester United defender, who missed out on Euro 2024 due to injury, expressed his appreciation for Southgate making them believe again and creating unforgettable memories.
Ashley Young, former England international and left-back during the 2018 World Cup, praised Southgate for the way he brought players and staff together. Young emphasized the enjoyment that players experienced while on national team duty under Southgate’s leadership. He credited Southgate for his contributions to English football and expressed disappointment at his resignation. Young believed that Southgate had done a great job in bringing the nation back together and creating a strong bond among the players and staff.
Former Club England managing director, Adrian Bevington, described Southgate as a great leader of people and an inspirational figure. He acknowledged the tough task ahead for the Football Association in finding a suitable replacement for Southgate. Bevington emphasized the importance of finding an individual who could handle both on-field and off-field responsibilities, comparing the role to that of a prime ministerial figure. He praised Southgate for handling these challenges better than any other England manager before him.
Overall, the tributes and praises for Gareth Southgate highlight his significant impact on the English national team. His ability to bring players together, instill hope and joy, and create a strong team spirit have left a lasting legacy. As England searches for a new manager, finding someone who can match Southgate’s leadership qualities and successfully handle both sporting and non-sporting aspects will be a difficult task.