Former England manager Gareth Southgate has chosen to distance himself from media coverage ahead of the World Cup, prioritizing the team’s focus over television opportunities. Despite his absence, Southgate remains confident in the squad’s readiness to compete at the highest level.
The 48-team tournament in North America represents a significant shift for Southgate, who will not be directly involved following his successful tenure. During his time as manager, England reached a World Cup semi-final and two consecutive European Championship finals.
In an Instagram video, Southgate reflected on his deep connections to the tournament, noting his involvement across seven World Cups in various capacities. “This is a different tournament for me this time,” he said.
Southgate led England to two European Championship finals (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Archive)
Southgate emphasized his decision to avoid media engagement, stating he did not want to risk distractions or misinterpretations in press conferences. “I’ve made a deliberate choice not to be part of the TV coverage,” he explained.
The manager expressed full support for the team, noting their accumulated experience from overcoming challenging matches. “They’ve faced numerous hurdles, including penalty shootouts and semi-finals, and are now confident in their ability to succeed,” he said.
England’s squad arrived in Kansas City ahead of their Group L match against Croatia in Dallas, marking the start of their campaign.