Southgate’s strengths were also his undoing

After yet another dose of Euros final heartbreak for England, Gareth Southgate has resigned as manager.

On paper, Southgate – who led England to two Euro finals and a World Cup semi-final – has done far better than many of his predecessors. One of his vital contributions was successfully managing to move the English national team away from the paralysing culture of club tribalism that defined the so-called Golden Generation of the 2000s. Southgate also naturally understood how the national football team can be an incredible source of togetherness; a force for social unity. He has openly expressed his pride in the fact that the young players he has introduced to the England senior set-up collectively embody modern Britain – which, for its flaws, is a relatively successful example of a multi-racial democracy.