England aren't a "lucky" team
The Conductor, waistcoat and all..

England aren't a "lucky" team

England aren’t a lucky team!

No doubt the rolling tributes to Gareth Southgate are absolutely well deserved. The way he conducts himself is as a modern manager, and an archetypal Brit. This could be applied to any industry:- have a clear vision, pick the right team, share the vision, take an interest in the team as a team and individuals.

Indeed, the way he’s stuck by players and the team is a tribute to his belief in the team.

He is already arguably the best manager England have ever had, certainly the best since Sir Bobby Robson.

Interestingly, his (Robson’s) memo on effective management reads as true today as any leadership book.

But the success of this England team, in my opinion, dates back to Howard Wilkinson’s work in 2001 where he studied the French team set up at Clairefontaine to create the blueprint for Saint George's Park. The French set up had already helped nurture the World Cup winning squad of 1998 and European Cup in 2000.

As the result of this initiative, despite predictable false starts, England started to build the DNA of what being an England player meant, with Southgate himself growing in the confidence as a coach in this environment.

According to former legends like Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard, this broke the mould of players only sitting with clubmates, in the past reluctant to share tactics. Instead it’s emboldened an England spirit that Southgate, through his management style has propagated and spread.

The respectful moving on of football royalty and the gently mocked Royal Marines training camp no doubt also played a part in this. 

I’m convinced this team ethic is why we’re doing so well. “Luck” after all, is the coincidence of preparation and opportunity.

One could argue that this has not just spread amongst his players and backroom staff, but has had a ripple effect across the whole country.

Football, after all, could well be coming home.

Football's coming home.

Alex Gray

International Growth Marketing Leader | Driving Revenue Growth and Pipeline Acceleration through Campaigns and Sales Enablement | 20 years experience in software organisations from Microsoft to small-mid sized businesses

6 年

I really don't think England have actually been tested in this WC, yet people are acting like they've just put Brazil and Germany out of the contest. They've faced two sides in the group stages that had no chance of progressing and a Belgium side that had no appetite for victory in a game that was win-win. They then beat Colombia without their best player on penalties and a Sweden team that offered very little intent to win. And for those reasons I think yes, they have been lucky. England's WC starts tomorrow for me. Belgium is the one to watch if they can maintain the level they showed against Brazil.

Jack Lindley

Business Development & Partnerships

6 年

Great read, Neil! A Harrogate local too which I didn't know until today!?

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