Gareth Southgate won over an English public who were sceptical about his ability to lead the Three Lions with a run to the World Cup semi-finals three years ago and is already silencing his critics at Euro 2020.
\nFor the first time at a European Championship, England are off to a winning start as Southgate\u2019s bold selection paid off in a 1-0 win against Croatia on Sunday.
\nNext up is a fixture against Scotland on Friday, with the chance to book their place in the last-16 with a game to spare.
\nSouthgate\u2019s team selection for the opener caused a social media storm before kick-off as Raheem Sterling retained his place ahead of Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish despite a poor end to his season at Manchester City.
\nKalvin Phillips\u2019s inclusion alongside Declan Rice in midfield and the decision to start Kieran Trippier at left-back also raised eyebrows.
\nBut those calls proved inspired as Phillips set up Sterling for the only goal, while Trippier helped keep a clean sheet.
\n\u201cI don\u2019t think there would be one person in the 65 million English population who would pick that team today,\u201d said former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who played with Southgate at Euro 96.
\n\u201cI thought he managed that game unbelievably today. I think Southgate is our greatest asset.
\n\u201cThe clamour was to go with Grealish but he didn\u2019t even bring him off the bench. He\u2019s had seven or eight tournaments as a coach, U21s and as a player, I feel very comfortable with him as a manager.\u201d
\nSouthgate\u2019s lack of a stellar coaching CV at club level has counted against him in the eyes of his doubters.
\nHis three years in charge at Middlesbrough ended in relegation from the Premier League in 2009.
\nBut he rebuilt his reputation in three years as England\u2019s under-21 manager between 2013 and 2016, fostering relationships with a number of his now-senior internationals such as Sterling, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, John Stones and Jordan Pickford.
\nThat personal touch is a major strength of the 50-year-old as an international manager.
\nHe has consistently spoken out on behalf of his players on issues of racism and social media abuse, most recently resolutely defending his side\u2019s decision to keep taking the knee ahead of matches at the Euro despite boos from some fans and pressure from leading politicians to abandon the gesture.
\n\u201cHe\u2019s great to talk to. He\u2019s always putting his arm around the players, which is important,\u201d said Phil Foden, who at 21 is playing his first major tournament.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gareth Southgate won over an English public who were sceptical about his ability to lead the Three Lions with a run to the World Cup semi-finals three years ago and is already silencing his critics at Euro 2020. For the first time at a European Championship, England are off to a winning start as Southgate\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":198583,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-198573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n