The English football team returned home after falling at the final hurdle in the Euros of 2024. We should pause for a moment to reflect on that. It is the second time this has happened under Southgate since he took over in 2016. No other manager has come close to his overall record and there can be no doubt that since he was called in by the FA as interim manager after the Sam Allardyce 67 day debacle, we have seen a marked improvement in several areas within the national team.

But still, we criticise, and it’s understandable. Southgate has taken the team to a semi-final in the World Cup of 2018, a quarter-final in 2022 and two European championship finals all in the space of 7 years. The problem is, has any of it been memorable? Possibly it was the quarter-final against France, the reigning world champions at the time, that brings back the most vivid memories. It was only a penalty miss from Harry Kane, almost unheard of at the time, that stopped the match from going into extra time and England possibly progressing to the semi-final. But England played well, they really did. They matched the French in every department and it was only fine margins, which it always is when you get to that level, that stopped us going on.

This I think is what’s missing from the current England team. We have the players, I don’t think we can doubt that, but can you really say that any England performance in these Euros has brought you to the edge of your seat? It has been a series of moments, mostly to recover from a pretty poor performance up to that point, that has sustained the England fans as they hope for the holy grail of a major trophy.

I don’t think we can argue that Southgate hasn’t improved various aspects of the national game and the inclusiveness, togetherness and dignity that he has brought to the team has to be applauded. But what I think the team needs to actually win trophies is identity. It needs to be a team that opposing teams are frightened to face, we certainly have the players to make it so, and that’s what we lack at the moment. If we get beat in the 2026 World Cup it needs to be 3-2 in the final against a top team in a game that pulsates from start to finish with the players getting carried out on their shields at the end.

Southgate has resigned and decided not to lead us on to the next World Cup. His record, and just as importantly the way he has carried himself, and the dignity and quality he has brought to the job will be his legacy, and it’s a good one. But we need a manager who will unleash this current set of players on the opposition and scare the life out of them. The problem is, can we find him? At time of going to press we have no idea who this will be. All the best managers only consider national team engagements and the judgement of the FA, another issue, will certainly be put to the test. It will be difficult to find the right candidate for the job, to say the least although there are rumours of Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter being on the FA’s shortlist to succeed Southgate at England

What I think the loyal and steadfast England fans need is a team that comes into any tournament with an attacking philosophy and with the players to carry out the task. I think we have the latter, let’s hope we can get the former from a new manager. I would like to see this current set of players, who will improve over time, set free to play the way that we know they can and not be scared of the outcome. If you can play that well the results will come and you will bring joy to a footballing nation – not before time!