GARETH SOUTHGATE admits his family persuaded him not to quit as England boss following his World Cup heartbreak.
And the Three Lions boss has shrugged off abuse from irate fans, vowing: “I can deal with it.”
Southgate’s England team looked destined for potential greatness as they cruised through the group stage in Qatar.
Captain Harry Kane and Co made light work of Iran before bouncing back from their USA draw with victory against Wales.
England were equally impressive in their 3-0 win over Senegal in the last 16.
But Southgate’s plan was undone in the quarters by a stubborn France side, with Kane missing a late penalty as the eventual runners-up edged through 2-1.
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The fallout saw Southgate’s position come under the spotlight, with some questioning how he could survive after missing out at three successive tournaments.
However, the FA were eager for their man to remain, with Southgate eventually deciding to stay on for Euro 2024.
But the England boss, 52, admits it was his family who persuaded him to give the job another go.
Southgate is married to wife Alison, also 52, and the pair have two children in Mia, 22, and Flynn, 18.
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And the trio convinced the tactician to have one more shot at glory with his country.
Southgate told ITV: “They (my family) left Doha saying you’ve got to give this one more go and try to get this trophy.
“There was negativity about me being in charge and the last thing I wanted was for that to be the over-arching feeling going into a World Cup when you need the fans and everybody behind the team.
“You need that energy; you need that sense of togetherness.
“And if the debate was only going to be about finding flaws in what we were doing, in order that I go at the end, then that would have been very difficult for the team to perform at their best.”
As for any resentment and abuse from fans, it’s all been water off a duck’s back.
Southgate added: “I don’t think anybody would choose to walk over at the end of a game and get abuse, but I’ve also been in football long enough to know that.
“I can deal with it, and you’ve got to lead your players through those moments as well.
“I don’t think anybody could say they enjoy it, but it also isn’t going to determine exactly what I do and what I don’t do.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
