England and Manchester United star Harry Maguire was on record to praise Gareth Southgate for the terrific job done so far with the Three Lions.
As quoted by Football365, England centre-back and Manchester United captain Harry Maguire waxed a lyrical about the Three Lions’ manager Gareth Southgate while he also spoke at length about the team’s recent performances at big tournaments.
England might have cruised to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2020 after a scintillating win over Ukraine in the quarter-finals in Rome. The Three Lions scored four goals to put Ukraine to the sword, with Maguire among the goalscorers. The centre-back missed the opening games of the tournament with fitness issues but is now back.
Maguire has helped this English defence keep consecutive clean sheets, as the semi-finalists are yet to concede a goal at the tournament. However, with Denmark next on the agenda, the Manchester United defender took the opportunity to praise his national team manager.
Southgate has come in for criticism from certain sections of the English fans and media alike. Those were calling him out on selecting players, tactics and sometimes for negatively approaching the game. However, the former defender has proved his mettle to guide England to their second semi-finals in as many major tournaments since he took over.
Praising the work that Southgate has done, Maguire said: “I think Gareth has been brilliant for this team. He sits here and gives us all the plaudits. But we appreciate the job he’s doing and the way that he sets us up and his man-management skills, so I can’t speak highly enough of Gareth and his coaching staff and the way that he’s gone about his business over the last four years.
“He’s proved over the last four years that as an England manager, it’s always hard to please everyone, especially the public, in terms of the way he sets up and selection. But we trust him. Whatever team he picks or whatever style of play he wants to go with, it’s the best one for the job.”
Overall, Southgate has done a terrific job with the players, management and the style of play England display on the field. Without conceding a goal so far, the manager has proved a point to his critics for the way he sets his team up, who have been getting many goals lately. Everything will be at stake against Denmark, and progression in that game will certainly help Southgate cement his position as one of England’s great managers.