Southgate's Arrival Since 2016 Brings Mental Change To Britain's Squad

Gareth Southgate brought about a change in mentality in England (Instagram/@england).

JAKARTA - England was criticized. The performance that fits the expectations at Euro 2024 is the subject of criticism. Supporters and observers cast doubt on the Three Lions to win the Euros for the first time.

Gareth Southgate doesn't care. He claims his presence since 2016 has made many major changes to the squad.

At Euro 2024, Southgate again made significant changes, especially in terms of mentality.

Appearing unsatisfactory in the group phase, according to Southgate, the mentality of the Three Lions increased when it touched the knockout stages.

In addition, Southgate has a positive impact. His troops, who have always been in the spotlight of criticism throughout Euro 2024, have been able to release the burden of expectations.

The Three Lions squad is now focused on winning tickets for the Euro 2024 final. This means that they must get rid of the Netherlands in the semifinals for that target.

"We know we didn't start the tournament well. For me, it's an interesting experience to see the team look scared at the start of the game, almost worried about whether something went wrong."

"We haven't had it for a few years. Maybe it's an additional expectation. However, now they are at the question, what can be achieved? A kind of mindset."

"Sometimes, as a coach, you take step back and observe. One of our strengths over the past eight years is reduced fear and reduced obstacles."

"At the start of the tournament, the expectations were quite burdensome and the outside noise became harder than ever."

"I feel we can't put ourselves in the right position. In the end what's impressive is that the players find a way to get results."

"That changed when we reached the quarter-finals. We saw a better version of ourselves when we had the ball, we were freer," said Southgate.

Southgate has taken various ways as an approach to players in eight years of its leadership period.

Many family activities were held, such as singing with Ed Sheeran. The atmosphere becomes more relaxed, fluid, and there is no distance between the manager and the player.

When closeness arises, instilling enthusiasm for British players becomes easier. That's what Southgate felt.

The 53-year-old manager managed to grow the spirit when England came out of the needle in the last 16 of Euro 2024 against Slovakia.

Three Lions fell behind, but Jude Bellingham equalized in injury time. Harry Kane then appeared as a savior through a winning goal in extra time.

"We have Ed Sheeran to sing and that's great. You can get bound that way."

"When you score goals in the 92nd minute and the 96th minute, nothing is stronger than that but the spirit of a team," Southgate said.

Gareth Southgate should have received appreciation, not criticism. If you look at the development of England from eight years ago until now, the mentality is indeed an aspect highlighted by the manager.

He can remove the toxic culture that makes players of quality and labeled stars afraid to represent the country.

The former Middlesbrough manager made his students have more perspectives. Criticism, which is currently still flooding the England squad, is not too burdensome.

"We really talked about it (the fear). When you can feel that feeling, you need to deal with it. It's useless to avoid it and hope it will disappear."

"After the match against Denmark (in the second match of Group C Euro 2024), there is a picture of players looking desperate."

"They got one point which basically made sure we qualify. Every other team celebrated it with their fans at the time, we knelt down."

"So, I have to correct the way they view things," said the 53-year-old manager.

The way British troops resolve the pressure is now different. They have adapted to the style taught by Southgate.

The proof, together with Southgate, England reached the semifinals of a major tournament (World Cup and Euro) for the third time in just eight years, the most in the history of the Three Lions.

"I think winning the knockout system match at the 2018 World Cup Russia is the first target. Since then, a change in mindset has occurred."

"We've gone further in recent tournaments, no one thought the quarter-finals were close enough."

"Now we are at the end of a real tournament. Given our history, this should not be underestimated," Southgate said.

England is no longer a team that enlivens a big tournament now. As is known, the only Three Lions title is the 1966 World Cup champion.

After that, they struggled to reach the final round, even the semifinals. The furthest journey England managed to explore before Southgate's arrival was the semifinals of Euro 1996.

This means that the British mentality has indeed changed when handled by Southgate. Aiming for the title is no longer a taboo target now.

No wonder, that ambition is now flowing heavily from within every Three Lions player despite pressure, criticism, and doubts from outside the team.

"The great thing is, we don't just sit here and feel happy with the semifinals. We want to go further."

"Our goal is to come here and win it. We now have two more games to get to that," Southgate said.

England will meet the Netherlands in the semifinals of Euro 2024 on Thursday, July 11, 2024, early morning WIB.