Oh, Gareth Southgate. He just keeps proving us right, doesn’t he?
It’s fair to say that, over the past few years, the England manager has well and truly stolen the nation’s heart, with his humility, passion and professionalism lauded across the football world. Not just that, but Southgate presides over a team that has been hailed for its social conscience, with actions including taking the knee against racism, making a stand on donating to the NHS, and taking the fight for free school meals to Downing Street.
The love for Southgate is so palpable that there was an entire viral Twitter thread dedicated to imagining all the ways he would respond to everyday life (with some hilarious responses). Former player and pundit Gary Neville also said what many people were thinking when he described Southgate as showing “true leadership”, in a comment which was widely perceived as a dig at politicians.
Now, another video has emerged of Southgate, which has prompted people to fall in love with him all over again.
As you probably know (or if you don’t... where have you been?!), England beat Denmark 2-1 in the Euro 2020 semi-finals on Wednesday, a victory which will see the men’s team compete in the final of a major competition for the first time in 55 years on Sunday.
After the final whistle – and amid wild celebrations both on and off the pitch – Southgate decided to take some time to console some of the Denmark squad, who played their socks off and were understandably gutted after giving the Three Lions an incredibly tough game.
In the clip from ITV, he can be seen embracing Simon Kjær and presumably giving the player some words of wisdom. He’s then seen chatting and hugging another player, Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg, in a similarly avuncular manner.
The moment was shared widely online, with Southgate praised for his sportsmanship. Gary Lineker described it as a “class act”.
Here’s what others said:
Genuinely lovely to see. This tournament has made me such a wet blanket pic.twitter.com/ZK6MhQ5hDG
— Tom Chivers (@TomChivers) July 9, 2021
Such a class act. So good to have someone in charge of @England who’s respectful, intelligent and empathetic. https://t.co/mVHysX8q5i
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) July 9, 2021
Oh good god, Gareth Southgate truly is the best of us. https://t.co/5RCS6b5cAS
— Emma Kennedy💙 (@EmmaKennedy) July 9, 2021
I love this touchy feely stuff. I really do. pic.twitter.com/ATpYaXaUmp
— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) July 9, 2021
Gareth Southgate is my best friend and he doesn’t even know it.pic.twitter.com/h1mmiGNcVD
— Alex Miller (@AlexMiller91) July 8, 2021
Say what you like about wanting England to win or lose Gareth Southgate is a gentleman and a great sportsman showing a bit of compassion for the big Danish captain who is a legend after the Erickson incident 👏👏👏👏
— Colin Mcmullan (@colin_mcmullan) July 9, 2021
We just love to see it.
