In Germany, he has felt every feeling possible. From the animosity and beer hurled at him after their quarterfinal match draw with Slovenia in Cologne, to dancing in front of exuberant supporters following their penalty-filled victory over Switzerland in Dusseldorf.
There’s a growing assumption that Southgate’s eight years in leadership will end after Euro 2024, either on Sunday in Berlin when the team plays Spain in the final or on Wednesday after the Dutch match.
Although England hasn’t played particularly well, their combination of iron tenacity and individual genius has allowed them to advance to the final four.
After 1966 World Cup champion Sir Alf Ramsey, Southgate will be the first manager to lead the men’s team to victory at a major tournament if England lifts the trophy at the Olympiastadion on Sunday.
Southgate will be remembered as the manager who guided his squad into previously uncharted territory—the later stages of big tournaments—repeatedly before failing to fully cross the finish line and win the championship if his team loses to the Dutch.
