GARETH SOUTHGATE has confirmed he DID have coronavirus.
SunSport revealed the England boss secretly battled the virus last month after developing symptoms.
Gareth Southgate has confirmed he did battle coronavirusCredit: Rex Features
Southgate described the virus as ‘not pleasant’ but said his condition ‘wasn’t as serious as some people’Credit: Rex Features
And following the Three Lions’ 2-0 Nations League defeat to Belgium, the 50-year-old confirmed the news.
Southgate, 50, said: “Yes, I did have the virus but fortunately I wasn’t as serious as some of the people in our country.
“It’s not pleasant and it’s not something you’d choose to have but everything is fine now.”
Southgate had been forced to self-isolate for ten days before further checks came back negative.
Concern was heightened due to his age but his fitness helped him fight off the deadly virus — with his England stars none the wiser.
One source said: “He’s a professional, he just got on with it. Fortunately he’s very fit for his age.”
Southgate’s England lost 2-0 to Belgium in the Nations LeagueCredit: Reuters
Southgate tested positive around October 25, derailing his preparations for the current international matches.
He self-isolated at home in North Yorkshire, abandoning plans to attend Premier League games in person.
Like Prince William, who was diagnosed back in April with coronavirus, he kept the news quiet with only a handful of people knowing.
A subsequent test came back negative by November 5, enabling him to host a press conference on Zoom announcing his latest squad.
Gareth Southgate praised Jack Grealish’s performance against BelgiumCredit: AFP or licensors
Meanwhile, Soutgate praised Jack Grealish for his “outstanding performance as England lost to Belgium.
He said: “Today was a great game for us to see him in. I couldn’t speak highly enough of his performance.
“I thought Jack Grealish had an absolutely outstanding game. Losing Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, we lose a lot of speed. But I can’t fault the attacking play until the last chance.
“I saw what I knew I would see from Jack, someone with the bravery to play. He took the ball in tight areas, his technique was good, we knew he would buy a lot of free-kicks. I thought he was outstanding – he should be delighted. I explained to him what we wanted to see when we brought him in in September.”
Southgate added Grealish had “100 per cent” moved himself up the pecking order for future England games.
England manager Gareth Southgate, 50, secretly battled coronavirus last month with players none the wiser
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
