Gareth Southgate Interview
Gareth Southgate won 57 England caps and captained Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. SoccerBible caught up with the former centre-back, who after confirming he won't be making a Scholes-esque comeback(!), talked to us about his new role at the FA, Euro 2012, and his playing career...
Southgate was drafted in after England's 2010 World Cup campaign, and speaking to us at the launch of the Carlsberg Pub Cup, told us of his high hopes for the future of English football. As well as sharing with us some football stories from the past, including the spectacle of the Crystal Palace kit man's bootroom.
SoccerBible: Tell us a little bit about your role as Head of Elite Development at the FA?
Gareth Southgate: After the 2010 World Cup, the FA held a review of youth development in English Football. They invited managers, coaches, youth coaches, ex-players and chairman to a brainstorm to talk about the future of the game in this country. Twenty-five recommendations for developing a better coaching system were drawn up. These are designed to bring about improvements in junior football that will ensure English football is competitive for years to come. My job is to help implement these changes.
| To be successful at International level it s got to be a passing game. Players need to be comfortable receiving the ball and able to make good decisions, as well as being able to beat a man. To achieve this, we ve got to have good coaches.
It s a huge piece of work because we re trying to change culturally as a country, but I think England fans are tired of failing on the International stage.
Looking ahead to Euro 2012, who would be your first choice centre-back pairing for England?
GS: For the first time in a long time, I don t think there s any certainty about it. Rio Ferdinand and John Terry have been the obvious picks for a number of years, but Rio has had difficulties with injury this season and John has other difficulties at the moment. |
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If you look outside those two, there are a number
of players who could step in. Joleon Lescott plays well in big matches for Man City. There s Gary Cahill, whose performances may have earned him a January transfer to a top-four club. Phil Jagielka has played well for England when he s been called upon. And Manchester United s Chris Smalling and Phil Jones look good for the longer term. It s a healthy pool of players, but there s not much experience at International level.
Who is your tip to be crowned Euro 2012 Champions?
GS: It s too close to call. I think England always have a chance but we don t travel there as favourites. In the last couple of years, Spain and Holland have phenomenal records. Germany have had a good qualifying campaign. It could be one of these four.
Which English players have stood out for you in the Premier League so far this season?
GS: Scott Parker has made a big impact at Tottenham. He s a great type of player to have around your squad. Scott was always good even as a youngster at Charlton. It didn t quite work out for him at Chelsea but he s now playing at the level he deserves.
Hopefully, we ll see Jack Wilshire back in the second half of the season. He s a different type of player, an inventive passer, who adds something to the squad. I think Danny Welbeck and Danny Sturridge have a good chance of going to Euro 2012. I saw them play for England Under-21s last summer and they did very well in the tournament. Sturridge had been excellent for Chelsea. I know they think a lot of him. Welbeck has done very well to force himself into the squad at Man United ahead of players like Berbatov and Owen.
What boots did you wear during your playing career?
GS: When I started as a youth at Crystal Palace in the Eighties, we wore whatever we were given. Maurice the kit man gave you a pair and to last the whole season. I got Puma Kings, but if you split them, then he would give you an old pair of Golas. For a few seasons I actually wore a pair of Golas with Kenny Sansom s initials on!
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The training ground was an absolute mudheap, so one pair would only really last for about three months. Then you could either buy yourself another pair or delve around in Maurice s cupboard. When I turned pro, I had a boot deal with New Balance for a long time. But they stopped making boots so I wore Reeboks for the last eight years of my career. They were Villa s kit sponsors when I was captain.
You captained Crystal Palace to the First Division title and both Aston Villa and Middlesbrough to League Cup success. What do you think are the qualities that make a good captain?
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religions and you ve got to be able to get on with all of them. You need to make everyone feel part of the team and also lay down the principles of the club. I enjoyed that.
With Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry both returning to the Premier League recently, are you tempted to dig out your Villa shirt?
GS: No, but I am a few years older than them! I m OK running forwards now, but turning and jumping are a bit different. As you get older, your power and speed go and I was never that quick in my youth! Paul Scholes only retired six or seven months ago so he ll have no problem going back. I m sure Henry he can do well for Arsenal.
It s great for their two managers to get back players like that, not just on the field, but in the dressing room to set an example to young players. They re both the type of people you want around the training ground. They ve won things and have a good work ethic.
Which players did you admire during your playing days?
GS: Thierry Henry was one of the best players I ever played against. No question. When I was a kid, Bryan Robson was my hero. I was fortunate to play alongside Paul Gascoigne for England who was a wonderful player, then Scholes, who I thought was the best player of his generation. Towards the end of my career with England I played with Rooney and he was the best of his generation. Those players stand out for being capable of doing extraordinary things that others couldn t do. 
And finally, when was the last time you ate in Pizza Hut?
GS: I ve only eaten there once since I did the advert [in 1996] and that was four or five years ago with my kids and some of their friends. We were on a visit to London and couldn t find anywhere else! One visit in 15 years is hardly prolific!.
Gareth Southgate was speaking at the launch of the Carlsberg Pub Cup, a nationwide 5-a-side competition for players of all standards. To register your pub visit www.carlsberg.co.uk/pubcup. Carlsberg is The Official Beer of The England Football Team and sponsor of UEFA EURO 2012™. As always, share your thoughts with the SoccerBible community online.
