Gareth Southgate reveals he lost joy in England victories

Gareth Southgate has revealed he stopped enjoying victories during his final months as England manager. The former boss, who stepped down after last year's Euro 2024 final defeat, said the wins that once sustained him no longer brought satisfaction.

Southgate made the comments on The Amol Rajan Connection podcast, where he also definitively ruled out a return to club management in the Premier League. "I don't see a scenario where I do that," he said. Reflecting on the intense pressure of his eight-year tenure, he explained the emotional toll it took.

"Towards the end of my time with England, I stopped enjoying, at the very least for a period, the wins keep you going," Southgate said. He added that by the conclusion, triumphs brought only fleeting relief. "By the end, I didn't even enjoy the wins for any longer than a couple of minutes."

Since leaving the role, Southgate has embraced a different life. He has worked in media, fronted a BBC documentary, and spent time as a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School. He said he has "loved the last 18 months" of exploring new experiences, from meeting politicians to learning about leadership in other fields.

His departure followed a period of historic success for England. Southgate, who managed over 100 games, led the team to the 2018 World Cup semi-final, the Euro 2020 final, the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, and another European Championship final in 2024. He is the nation's most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.

The team has moved on under new leadership, currently riding a three-game winning streak. Their most recent result was a 3-0 victory over Czechia on 6 October, with Harry Kane scoring twice. They face a key test next, hosting second-placed Croatia on 12 November. This season's squad's form and standings show a team building on the foundation Southgate helped establish.

This story first appeared at The Independent