Sir Gareth Southgate Turns Down Bbc World Cup Pundits Role
Sir Gareth Southgate has turned down world cup pundits work at the World Cup because he did not think it would help England's chances. The former manager said he would stay out of the way as England open their campaign on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.
Southgate's World Cup decision
Southgate said he took a conscious decision not to do TV this time. He said he did not want anything to be misconstrued or thrown at England at press conferences, adding that it was best for him to keep out of the way.
He posted those thoughts on Instagram and also wished the squad luck. Southgate said, “Good luck to all the boys” and added, “Hope everybody has a great month - and I'll be staying out of the way.”
England's World Cup runway
The timing is notable because England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia at 21:00 BST on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. They also play Ghana on Tuesday, 23 June at 21:00 BST and Panama on Saturday, 27 June at 22:00 BST.
Southgate has been part of the last seven World Cups as a player, broadcaster, scout and manager. He said, “It's obviously a very different tournament for me this one, I've been at the last seven World Cups as a player, as a broadcaster, a scout and then as the manager.”
Southgate's England record
The decision closes the door on a return to the public-facing role that came after he resigned when England were defeated by Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Southgate led England for 102 games over eight years, guided them to the finals of two European Championships and the 2018 World Cup semi-final, and reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2022.
That record is the best of any England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey won the 1966 World Cup, and Southgate said he believes England are ready to win a World Cup. He told fans, “I know all the big knockout nights that we've had mean they are going to be full of confidence going into this tournament,” and, “They have overcome so many hurdles to winning - penalty shootouts, semi-finals, got so close - and they are ready to win.”
