To appreciate England football much more now that the players aren't "celebrities"?

[jockeywilsonsaid]

I'm not a big football fan but I'm happy to sit snd watch England games with my family. My teens play football and will tell me who is who, who they play for etc. I do know the bigs names such as Kane, obviously.

I was a student during Euro 96 so a very different time in life for me! I was more into it, more excited, carried along by all my friends and the fact that life hadn't got serious yet

But I really love the fact that the majority of the England players now are just hard working men who do their job. Yes it's a job that gets paid obscene amounts at club level, but they are first and foremost athletes and overall (with some exceptions) good role models. WAG culture has gone. I've enjoyed seeing pictures of the players with their partners and kids where they have them, as there's no great fanfare around it.
And of course I love Gareth Southgate. A real gentleman.

I agree OP. I think this is partly Southgate's influence. He seems to encourage a down to earth atmosphere. The WAGs thing was a bit ridiculous.

Not much to add but agree, even down to not an ongoing interest, loved 96 as a student, but have enjoyed seeing how relatively normal they all seem now!

And I don't follow football but Southgate seems like a genuinely nice human (unless there's some dark stories lurking I've missed)

I love the fact that this time it’s about the whole squad and the heroes have been fringe players not just the big names.

Its a totally different dynamic to the days of the Beckhams and Rooney etc when the WAGS took centre stage.

I don't think there is! I remember really clearly when he missed the penalty in Euro 96, just awful. Now look what's he been able to do. Just wonderful.
I was SO happy when Saka scored his penalty a few days ago. More ghosts laid to rest. He comes across an absolutely lovely young man and got some awful abuse when he missed the penalty in the last tournament.
I'm such a mum who just keeps talking about "lovely boys"

There is a play called Dear England about how Southgate transformed the team. I believe it's coming back to west end this year for a limited run.

I hate football but I absolutely loved it. It's really worth a visit. It focused on how he made them a 'team'

I took my Dad (a lifelong football fan) to see it and we both loved it!

The playwright who wrote it is actually updating it with a new ending, based on how England do in the Euros, and the updated version of the play is coming to theatres next year 🥳🥳 I really recommend it for anyone who likes theatre, or football, or both.

And I totally agree with what everyone has said here about the relaxed and positive culture in the England team. I really started to get into football in the early matches of the 2018 World Cup, when the mood around the England team was becoming much more fun and positive than it had been previously, and I’m so proud of what the team and Gareth Southgate have achieved since then.

I think even in 96 Southgate showed character by doing that advert, was it Pizza Hut or something? Able to laugh about it even though it must have been awful to get the abuse.
I miss the waistcoats though

Me too - loved his waistcoats!

I think Southgate is an absolute marvel and a really interesting study in man management.

Clearly the players aren't actually normal, they have amazing lifestyles and wield all the power (which is why previous managers have felt forced to accept the WAGS and rhe poor behaviour). Many of these players have actually behaved appallingly in their personal lives, but he's managed to get them working quietly and doing the job, without all the hoo-ha that's pre oksuky followed the team.

Absolutely. He’s a very impressive and talented man manager. He’s clearly very emotionally intelligent.

Gotta change up his style every so often so he can do an 'Eras' tour.

Presumably that zipped shirt is a thing? It's what my dad would have called a "sports shirt"

My partner is military and describes Southgate as a ‘servant-leader’ - someone who leads not with bombastic behaviour and authority but with kindness and empathy and high expectations of himself and his team. That seems fairly accurate - he seems like a soft-spoken, thoughtful type.

What have the players done that has been bad? I'm not questioning it, I'm genuinely curious as I really don't know. Apart from Kyle Walker who I know had a not - great reputation.

I do really want to see this. Would it be suitable for a 13yo?

@jockeywilsonsaid

Definitely. Think there was a school trip when I went. I am actually tempted to go again.

I thought it was just Kyle Walker too, and maybe Kieran Trippier, after his wife posted a cryptic Instagram message a couple of weeks ago. I’m not aware of anything else.

You’re right OP, and I hadn’t thought of it before. I really like Southgate. He comes across as hardworking, empathetic and humble.

The team also seem less showbizzy. I think it’s far better now than the 90s/2000s with the celebration stuff and WAG culture.

My DH said last night that it’s the fans that cause the issues. Too much expectation and too quick to start booing or be silent when things aren’t going their way etc. They need to be uplifting the team the whole way through. They’re the 12th man in the stadium.

Obviously it's all rumour, but there have been lots of stories about infidelity, including the one who left camp for the birth of his baby.

Kyle Walker aside, I'm glad this and previous tournaments have been all about the football. I don't like the man but he is a great player
I remember the years where all the headlines were about the Wags and what they wore etc
This team seem disciplined and focused and very family orientated
The reason is they finally have a great manager.
I really hope they can win

Really? That surprises me, as I’d never heard any rumours about the player who left the camp for the birth of his child. I quite like him and think he seems like a decent guy, but appreciate I don’t have much knowledge of his personal situation! I have heard some stuff about Kyle Walker though, which others have also mentioned.