“It’s coming home. It’s coming. Football’s coming home. “
The European Championship song “Three Lions” from 1996 is actually a hymn to the painful history of the failure of the English national football team, a category in which the footballers from the kingdom are unsurpassed. The soccer hit will also be omnipresent at this year’s Euro. But now it is thrown full of euphoria. Also on Wednesday evening, when more than 54,000 England fans will shout this line of song at Wembley in the semi-final against Denmark.
And he should set the course for football to return to its mother country: Gareth Southgate. The 50-year-old has already had the chance to bring England to the European Championship final in his own country. The then defender failed in the penalty shootout by Andreas Köpke and Germany moved into the final.
Commercials make everything worse
With a commercial in which he targeted himself, he tried to counteract the malice of the local press. However, a restaurant chain commercial made things worse. The penalty drama taught him something for life: “The most important thing is that it is not the end if something goes wrong in life,” said the 57-time national player.
At the PK before the semi-final match against Denmark, he is asked about it, but does not go into it: “It’s not about what the game means for me, but what it means for the team and for the country,” said Southgate.
In 2016, Southgate took over the English national team as a stopgap after the scandalous departure of Sam Allardyce and led them to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup. Thereupon he receives the “Order of the British Empire” from Prince Charles. His vest, which he wore during the games, is also a best seller.
Popular but criticized
Yes, Southgate is popular with the English, has formed a team from a number of individual talents and it is important that the collective is the focus. But it is not free from criticism. His decisions are regularly questioned, such as not allowing BVB jewel Jadon Sancho to play until the quarter-finals or not always taking fan favorite Jack Grealish into account.
Even his style of play does not ensure unlimited enthusiasm. Instead of an offensive spectacle, Southgate wants to ensure stability at the back first. The games often end with a close 1-0 or 2-0. But the success so far speaks for Southgate’s knack. England is again in the semi-finals of a final round and has so far made it to this EM without conceding (!). In addition, the storm machinery has warmed up against Ukraine (4-0).
The already great euphoria in the motherland of football should increase immeasurably with a victory on Wednesday. If he even succeeds in the very big triumph with the European title, Southgate will make himself immortal. And should soon kneel before the Queen to be knighted. (smi)