Dear Gareth… What England fans want to say to Southgate

JOE

SO GOOD. SO GOOD. SO GOOD.

English football has rarely seen a night like last night. A close-to-full Wembley Stadium rocked with the sound of Neil Diamond as England’s men put the ghosts of the past to bed and reached a major tournament final for the first time in 55 years.

This has been a tournament delayed, and a summer of enormous emotion, ranging from unbridled optimism to reactionary criticism; all leading to Wembley and Italy on Sunday.

The one undeniable truth out of the last three-and-a-bit weeks of football is this: Gareth Southgate knows what he’s doing and deserves total trust from the English public.

Yes, his selection and tactics against Scotland were questionable, but England are now in a final having displayed a level of game management and savvy not shown by the Three Lions in the modern age.

With that in mind, we asked our followers what they would say to Gareth Southgate now if he were standing right in front of them.

A recurring theme was apologies for doubting Southgate at any point; proof of the job he has done this summer and over the past few years in building the team spirit he has

Sorry for consistently thinking you were shite https://t.co/s14ixz0kfI

— Dom Baker (@dombakerdb) July 8, 2021

Thank you https://t.co/kKoj5Skzy6

— Gipsy Danger (@frankfurtlanger) July 8, 2021

Another was a common recognition from supporters that their complaints during the tournament were misguided and that, perhaps, they should’ve believed him all along

Thank you for not listening to all the arm chair managers! #InGarethWeTrust

— john lowis (@john_lowis) July 8, 2021

Just want to say thank you for proving me wrong and allowing England fans to truly dream again

— Jack (@JackBrights1d3) July 8, 2021

I wasn’t sure at the beginning especially on selection however To be a great leader you have to get others to believe and as The song neil diamond wrote I am a believer sorry for misjudging you one more step to go keep fighting the good fight

— @jdouglass👊lufc (@Douglass1John) July 8, 2021

Sorry for moaning at some of the team selections… you were right all along! 🙌🏽😂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) July 8, 2021

Above all, though, were a large contingent who thanked Southgate for what he has done for the country, for its people and for national identity at a time when so many of the country’s leaders are, well, awful

I love you Gareth. Thanks for uniting us all, showing class throughout and giving us a summer to remember!

— Richard Jordan (@SpikeJordan10) July 8, 2021

https://twitter.com/RachelJWorth1/status/1413102395979149320?s=20

We are all 100% behind you. We may disagree with a selection here or there, or your use of substitutes, but it doesn’t matter one bit. You’ve got everything right, from Maguire and Hendo, to taking the knee, to selections, to your press release. Now go and make history!

— Ian T 💙 (@thompsonir) July 8, 2021

Gareth your a true fighter warrior and gentleman we love u trust u and me personally im all in ride or die and last but not least thank you for bringing the nation together good luck Sunday and God bless you and the team 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💯

— jamessay44 (@jamessay44) July 8, 2021

Sorry Gareth for doubting you. You spend every minute of the day with the players and you’re the one who’s stuck with your plan despite many moans ( I included). From here on, no matter what, you’re a national hero and any English football fan says otherwise…are clueless!

— midge (@midgeyash) July 8, 2021

Last but not least, a sentiment we can all agree with