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Former England international Dion Dublin says Gareth Southgate should remain England manager regardless of how the nation does in the World Cup.
As reported by the Express, ex-Manchester United and Aston Villa player Dublin believes Southgate is absolutely the right man for the job.
His comments come as the pressure mounts on the manager, with England without a win in their last six matches. The Three Lions have lost three of those games; twice against Hungary and once to Italy.
England’s total of four goals – all of which came against Germany – was the lowest number of goals scored by any of the 16 countries competing in League A of the UEFA Nations League. Equally worrying were the 10 goals conceded.
Southgate has created a “chilled-out environment”
But according to the pundit, there is no need to change the man in charge, now or indeed after the tournament in Qatar this winter.
“I think Gareth has done brilliantly,” said Dublin. “The reason why I think he’s been great is that he knows the players. He’s coached them, they trust him, and he trusts them. He’s created a very good, chilled-out environment.
“There are no fractions in the group anymore, it’s very much an England squad, the media like being around the players, and everything’s a bit more relaxed. That’s down to Gareth Southgate, so I don’t want to change. Even if they don’t do well in the World Cup, I still don’t want to change.”
England’s miserable run began at the beginning of June with a 1-0 UEFA Nations League loss at Hungary, with that defeat followed by 1-1 and 0-0 draws against Germany and Italy respectively. A humiliating 4-0 loss at home to Hungary came next, with Italy then defeating the Three Lions 1-0.
That result condemned Southgate’s side to relegation from League A Group 3 of the Nations League, with England finishing their adventure with a 3-3 draw against Germany.
“Leave Southgate alone”
The manager has, however, taken the country to the final of Euro 2020 and the semi-finals of the previous World Cup in Russia.
Dublin says Southgate deserves huge credit for his achievements so far, adding that the nation can make it to the semi-finals of the upcoming World Cup.
“Leave him to do what he wants to do,” noted Dublin. “We’re all forever wanting to change the manager; everybody wants to change the manager. You lose a couple of games, and it’s, ‘get rid of the manager and get a new one’. It can’t always just be the manager if it’s not working.”
“Sometimes look at the staff and look at the players and look at other things. Gareth Southgate, leave him alone. We’ll be okay. He’s got a great squad of players to be working with, a lot of quality, and I’m sure we’ll get to the semi-finals.
“I think he’s perfect for the job because the players like him, and they trust him, which is huge.”
England have been drawn in Group B of the 2022 World Cup, where they will take on Iran, the USA and Wales. They’ll meet Iran on 21 November, the USA on 25 November, and Wales on 29 November.
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