Gareth Southgate’s England may have to adapt if they are to survive | Liam Rosenior

England’s inexperienced manager has displayed courage in what had been considered an impossible job

Focus, ruthless, desire, strength. These are some of the words which are the norm in the lexicon of successful football coaches and teams – assets where the head rules the heart in the pursuit of results and trophies. So much has been said and written about England since the but there is one word I’d add to Gareth Southgate’s approach which is unusual in this environment: vulnerability.

Vulnerability is often viewed as a negative, especially in the competitive world of elite sport, but at times it can also be a huge strength which has the potential to maximise togetherness and team spirit. This is something so easy to see from the outside when these England players are constantly encouraging each other and admitting how much they rely on each other on and off the field.

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