Former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate has said his documentary about the crisis young boys and men are facing was a “fascinating experience” and hopes it will help change the national conversation.
Sir Gareth features in the BBC documentary where he confronts the challenges young men and boys are facing and look at what needs to happen to help them reach their full potential.
Gareth Southgate: Changing The Game For Young Men will assess the crisis he believes is facing young men and boys across the country by travelling across the UK and speak to young men and boys about what is going on in their lives.
According to the broadcaster, the one-hour long film aims to move beyond the recent conversations around the “manosphere” by assessing the everyday issues many are dealing with across school, employment, identity, mental health and life at home.
“This is the next step in my purpose to get young men and boys moving in the right direction rather than falling behind,” Sir Gareth said.
“I wanted them to speak openly and without judgment about what’s really going on in their lives.”
The documentary follows Sir Gareth as he meets boys and young men up and down the country and speaks with boys falling behind at school, young men struggling to find work and those growing up without father figures.
He also visits a prison where he speaks with young inmates to explore what really led them into crime.
He added: “Through these conversations, I’ve gained a better understanding of the challenges they face.
“It’s been a fascinating experience and I am so grateful to everyone I met who were brave enough to share their stories.
“I hope this documentary will go some way towards changing the national conversation and encourage us all to support them in realising their potential.”
Sir Gareth’s time as England manager saw him take the team to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final.
During the Covid-19 pandemic he wrote an open letter to England fans in 2021 where he urged fans to come together and support the players rather than engage in toxic online abuse.
His tenure and letter inspired playwright James Graham to write the award-winning play, Dear England, which follows Sir Gareth as he navigates the pressures of the team – and the nation.
The former England football manager will now assess what happens when young boys and men become disengaged and the knock‑on effects it has on society while looking at what needs to happen to turn things around.
Gian Quaglieni, commissioning editor for BBC current affairs, added: “Gareth Southgate is in a unique position to explore why so many boys feel like they’re falling behind and to think differently about what might help.
“This film steps away from polarised arguments and instead listens to how young people really feel and what they’re dealing with.
“These are important conversations – and not always easy – but they need to be heard.”
Gareth Southgate: Changing The Game For Young Men will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on Monday June 8.
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