GARETH SOUTHGATE has launched a fierce defence of his tactics — and says he will quit as England boss if he is not wanted.
The Three Lions chief pulled no punches following claims of negativity in last week’s 1-0 loss to Hungary and the 1-1 draw in Germany.
Gareth Southgate has threatened to walk if people don’t like his England tacticsCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunSouthgate has come under fire for his cautious tactics in the Nations League with the likes of Phil Foden sat on the benchCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Italy, Southgate declared: “I won’t outstay my welcome.
“I am always going to have situations where people are going to disagree with the selection.”
Former England striker Gary Lineker has accused Southgate of being “overly cautious” and questioned whether Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold are being under-used.
Southgate took England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, where they lost to Italy in a penalty shootout.
And the England boss added: “That noise over the last two or three years does seem extremely loud and I have had to ride that and get on with it through the Euros and the whole of last summer.
“I can see that’s where it is again. That’s what I have got to deal with. Lots of other international managers have the same.
“I’m sure the manager of Brazil has the same. I know the manager of France does and he has won more than I have. So that is the landscape.
“I’ve got to find a balance because I don’t want to sit and be defensive but some people have managed teams and others haven’t.
Many feel the likes of Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold are being underusedCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunEngland need a win against Italy on Saturday after failing to beat either Hungary or GermanyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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“Until you’ve managed teams, you have a different view of the game.”
Southgate, who took the job in 2016, signed a new deal before Christmas that runs until 2024.
He added: “We’ve done a good job for the team.
“We’ll continue to improve the team and we’re also developing young players that will leave England in a good place for a long period.”
“Of course for the man on the terrace who pays his money, I totally understand he wants to see a Grealish with a Raheem Sterling, with Bukayo Saka.
“But you’ve got to have balance in the team — this is top-level football.
“That balance, in getting to a semi-final and final, has been pretty good and we’ve talked for years about why we haven’t got there.
Southgate could make several changes to his starting XICredit: Richard Pelham / The SunEngland will play in front of an empty crowd at MolineuxCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
“Maybe that balance hasn’t been where it might have been before.
“Criticism is going to continue — but I’ve got to manage in the way I see fit. Don’t get me wrong, I sense where the room is with it.”
And in response to his apparent under-use of some fans’ favourites, Southgate also pointed out that both Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden have been frequently unavailable for England matches.
And he added that Grealish is often on the bench for Manchester City, as well as England.
Southgate said: “I hear about conservatism — but we were the highest scorers in Europe last year. I don’t quite know what more you can do.
“It is not nice when you are on the receiving end. You file it, you use it to motivate yourself, and you totally understand it is part and parcel of being a manager.
“But I can’t be swayed by popular opinion, or I would pick 15 players for each game and have 28 players in each squad.
“That is the hard part — to pick every player you talk about. You have to leave other players out.”
The likes of Tammy Abraham will be hoping for a chance from the startCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunAces like Conor Gallagher provide exciting new options for SouthgateCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Southgate knows expectations have increased ahead of this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
He said: “I’m totally aware of it — and I am totally calm about it. I’d rather be involved with a team where the expectation is high.
“The players have that desire and hunger.
“They have got close twice and they do not need to worry about what the expectation is. They want it. They feel the urgency, the need — they are desperate to be champions.
“For me, I’m totally aware of it — I am totally calm about it. I know what will be expected. I know the consequences if we don’t get there and I am totally happy about it.”
Meanwhile, Southgate reiterated that it is humiliating that Saturday’s game against Italy is behind closed doors after trouble at the Euro 2020 final.
Up to 3,000 school- children and their guardians will be allowed inside Molineux to see the game.
Southgate said: “It is an embarrassment for England as a country.
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“I am not certain a lot of the people who caused the problems were football fans.
“The vast majority of our fans who travelled to Germany this week behaved brilliantly.”
