SM
Thursday, March 28
Upcoming predictions and previews

Gareth Southgate: 'Euros preparations have been an incredible challenge'

:Headline: Gareth Southgate: 'Euros preparations have been an incredible challenge': ID:430776: from db_amp
The Three Lions boss has discussed the problems the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause.

England manager Gareth Southgate admits preparations for this summer's European Championship have been "an incredible challenge".

The coronavirus pandemic forced the competition to be put back 12 months and while it remains set to be played across a number of countries, that possibility continues to dwindle especially with the UK set to close all travel corridors on Monday.

Wembley is due to host the two last-four clashes and the final in July, but Southgate conceded the battle against Covid-19 is presenting issues in all departments with the country in another lockdown.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Gareth Southgate both appeared on the 'A Team Talk With Legends' panel (Martin Rickett/PA)

He appeared alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, Jurgen Klopp and Sir Kenny Dalglish on 'A Team Talk With Legends' panel in aid of Sports United Against Dementia and the League Managers Association's charity In The Game on Friday and discussed the problems caused by the virus.

"It's a challenge because all of our staff are a little bit disconnected. You're not interacting in the same way and you can't check in on people in the same way," Southgate said.

"We have to prepare for a European Championship in a few months' time so it's an incredible challenge for our staff logistically, our security people, our operations people and we really don't know what the tournament in the end will look like.

“We have to prepare for a number of different scenarios”
- Gareth Southgate

"At the moment UEFA are saying it will still be played across 12 cities, but we have to prepare for a number of different scenarios.

"Trying to book hotels and knowing where you will be based are a lot more complicated than they would normally be."

During a wide-ranging chat on a Lockdown Theatre livestream, the 50-year-old enjoyed a laugh with the two Scottish greats about the upcoming clash between the national teams.

Like in Euro 96, England and Scotland will face each other in a tournament where some of the games will be on home soil and Southgate admitted the 'Auld Enemy' make Group D tougher.

Gareth Southgate has learned a lot as a manager from Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish (Ian Walton/PA)

A captain at Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, the former centre-back recently celebrated four years in charge of the Three Lions.

The role is only his second in senior football after time with England's Under-21s following his sacking by Boro chairman Steve Gibson in October 2009.

Southgate added: "When you're a young manager especially and you have to learn so quickly, you really value the support of the older managers who have been through it.

"Sir Alex and Kenny have always been there for younger managers. When you have got senior figures who are so helpful and generous with their time, it is a massive help for everybody."

Watford-born defender Southgate also reflected on his lack of experience in management prior to his permanent England appointment in November 2016.

He said: "When I think back to when Sir Alex took over at United and the time it took (to win the first title), of course he had that record at Aberdeen where everyone knew he had been successful and a body of work.

"Jurgen arrives at Liverpool and everybody knows what he has done at Borussia Dortmund so there is a belief in what he is doing.

Gareth Southgate is excited to work with exciting young England players like Mason Mount (Ian Walton/PA)

"When I took over with England, that was a different situation. Nobody looked at my CV at Middlesbrough and thought much about it.

"Of course with the national team nobody is really bothered about it for nine to 10 months of the year and then everybody tunes in and says, 'let's play well and win' so that is the landscape of the national team.

"We have less time to work, but what a brilliant challenge and it is an honour to do it. You are working with fantastic players which is always a privilege because you have a chance.

"If you have good players, you have a chance and we have some very good players and possibly some even better young players coming through which is great for England."

amp_article__430776 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-01-16 09:38:50:
html db last update - 2021-05-08 23:42:11 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Coronavirus outbreak - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Gareth Southgate

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .