As England head into their Euro title clash with Spain, manager Gareth Southgate, who has guided his team to two consecutive finals, gave an in-depth interview to Sky Sports, sharing his journey and outlook for the tournament.
Faced with a reporter's question about giving up his original career to devote himself fully to soccer coaching, Southgate said frankly that the past two years of his life seemed to be a roller-coaster, and that all his energies were focused on how to help England win this top-level tournament. He confessed that in such an intense stage of preparation, he could hardly make a sound judgment on anything that was not related to the game, as all his attention was taken up by the upcoming final.
Southgate emphasized that he took the job in the first place to push English soccer forward, knowing that it was not just a responsibility to the public, but a total commitment to the entire English soccer system, from youth training to club operations to the international scene. He mentioned that although England's global reach has grown significantly, the only way to truly dispel the skepticism at home and abroad is to win the ultimate trophy.
Southgate showed great professionalism when talking about the mental state before the game. He said that although the whole country will be in a boil over the match, as coaches and players, they must remain calm and focused, taking their attention away from the external pressure and focusing on the match itself. He is confident that through fine tactical arrangements and emotional management, the team will be able to perform at their best at critical moments.
Southgate also spoke highly of the team's progress and growth. He pointed out that in the past matches, the players not only showed a more resilient spirit, but also achieved significant improvement in self-confidence and teamwork. He emphasized that the team is fully prepared for this final and they are confident that they will surpass themselves from three years ago and achieve higher goals.
Finally, Southgate reiterated his love and dedication to the job. He said that no matter what the result is, he will continue to guide this group of talented players and staff to keep their composure and conviction, learn and improve in the complicated game. He believes that through the joint efforts and hard work of the whole team, England will be able to create their own moments of glory on the stage of the European Cup.
