Towards the end of the press conference ahead of the Euro quarter-final against Switzerland, Southgate was asked if he had told his players that they had a golden opportunity to reach the final on 14 June.
– This is a classic example of our self-righteousness as a nation. It creates drama and amuses the opponent. We are facing a very good footballing nation who played very well in the championship, Southgate replied a little disappointed.
A potential semi-final awaits either the Netherlands or Turkey. France and Spain join in second place as they finish on opposite sides of the championship.
– We don’t have the league final outside of England. Many nations consider the people of England to be less than us, but it is clear that they have done better anyway, Southgate also said.
For the fourth championship in a row, England’s star gallery is ready for the quarter-finals. Gareth Southgate looks back with pride on the journey of the national team.
– We knew that a lot was needed to become a highly respected football nation again, in Europe and in the rest of the world. However, it is for others to judge whether we have succeeded. We are proud of what we have done in recent years, but we are not here to be in the quarter final. There is clearly a piece missing, admits Southgate.
After several weak championships, Southgate took charge of the England national team in September 2016. Two years later, he led the team to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia, before losing in the final of the European Championship by a year later. In Qatar a year and a half ago, France were eliminated in the quarter finals of the World Cup.
(© NTB)