SMART GAZUAL
Gareth Southgate says he was ‘bullied’ in football and reveals Euro 2024 outfit as he poses in £3,000 cashmere cardigan
Southgate also gave his take on the 'Dear England' play which centres around his leadership of the national team
GARETH SOUTHGATE has revealed he will ditch his suits for "short-sleeved knits" at this summer's Euros.
The England manager, 53, has garnered a lot of attention when it comes to his choice of outfit ever since becoming famous for his M&S waistcoat at the 2018 World Cup.
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In recent years, he has gone with blazers and jumpers - including in the March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
But now he is preparing to change things up for the trip to Germany, revealing he will turn to knitwear for the Euros in an attempt to add to a laid back atmosphere.
Speaking to , Southgate, who modelled a £3,000 cashmere cardigan as part of a photo shoot for the interview, said: "Whenever you put something on, you’re making some sort of a statement, aren’t you? I am conscious of that now [after 2018 World Cup].
"This year, it will be more short-sleeved knits than a suit and tie, because we’re trying to create a relaxed environment.
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"When you’re working with young lads, you don't want to be too stiff – in what you’re doing or wearing."
Southgate took England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, final of the Euros in 2020, and quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His success with the national team has seen him become a much-loved figure among many England supporters.
That adoration has even led to the play "Dear England" - a theatre production written by James Graham that centres around Southgate's leadership.
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And while the England boss has not watched it, he acknowledges it must be a sign of his accomplishments in the job.
He said: "I know people that have been [to see the play] and that the writer’s a very talented guy, so I know it’s a positive thing. But I don't really want to go and watch myself on stage. That would be very odd.
Marcus Rashford and Henderson OUT of Gareth Southgate's England Squad for Euro 2024
"I am ambivalent about it because the important thing in my world is to be judged as a football coach.
"Although I’m pleased people respect the impact we’ve had, at the moment I just want to win the trophy and gain respect that way."
Southgate, who recently announced his 33-man training squad before he trims it to 26 for the finals, will lead England into the Euros as the pre-tournament favourites.
He has faced criticism for some of his tactical decisions during big games across his eight-year stint as Three Lions boss.
And he even referenced that during the interview, claiming "everybody thinks they can pick the team" and that he is "on trial for a week" before every game.
But very few would argue with the success he has had in bringing the squad together as a harmonious unit.
And he is continuing to push an inspiring message ahead of what could be his final tournament as England head coach.
That is in contrast to the brutal way he was brought through as a player.
He said: "When we were growing up, we were bullied, really. Maybe that’s too harsh, but the coaches were very critical."
Southgate's positivity is in direct contrast to that coaching style - and it is a sense of community that he is playing on ahead of the summer.
He added: "England’s been a big part of my life. The best part of 10 years as a player, and now this period managing, plus everything I did before [as U21s coach and FA head of elite development].
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"I think about tournaments when I was a kid. I was always sat with my family, or as I got older, my mates in the pub, and that’s what’s still happening everywhere today.
"England games bring grandad, young kids – everybody – into the same room. Or everybody’s in the pub watching and living those dramatic moments. We can all remember those nights."
BBC and ITV's Euro 2024 line up in full
Here's how each channel will line-up:
BBC presenters:
Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman
ITV presenters:
Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods
BBC pundits:
Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden
ITV pundits:
Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina Unkel
BBC commentators:
Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan Pearce
ITV commentators:
Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe Speight
BBC co-commentators:
Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFadden
ITV co-commentators:
Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend
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