First and foremost, let it be known that this is not the outcome this particular fan wants. Like so many of us, Gareth Southgate has given me the greatest England memories of my lifetime.
However, it’s fair to say it’s not going to plan, is it?
The Three Lions are now without a win in the last six games and have been relegated from their Nations League group following a disappointing final two games before the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
On top of the lacklustre defeat against Italy, who were arguably the only team to look as off the pace as England since the Euros, Monday night’s 3-3 draw against a similarly underperforming Germany was a typically frustrating rollercoaster, to say the least.
Southgate‘s team looked dead and buried after the opener and even despite the spirited fight-back, they gave away a late equaliser. Even more worryingly, prior to Luke Shaw’s goal, they hadn’t scored from open play in over nine hours of football. Yikes.
Many have been calling for the England boss to be dismissed ever since the disappointment of last summer — some of his detractors even date as far back as 2018. That being said, these latest defeats have only seen more people declaring #SouthgateOut, World Cup just around the corner or not.
Despite being the first coach to take the England men’s team to a final since the last time we lifted a trophy in 1966 – the first to take us as far as a semi since ’96, as well – it’s becoming more and more difficult to argue his case by the minute.
Moreover, not only is hard to feel confident for November based on recent performances, but knowing that this could be the last major tournament for many of the core group who have delivered over the past five or six years, it does feel very much like a ‘now or never’ moment for Southgate and several players.
Speaking of which, the squad selection has been another point of contention for some England fans, the suggestion being that he has his favourites and often overlooks those in form and more deserving of a spot compared to his mainstays.
The inclusion of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw has been highlighted by many of his critics given the two are barely paying for United at the minute. The pair both started against Germany despite calls for the likes of Fikayo Tomori to be given a shot having been part of a title-winning Milan side in Italy last season.
Some fans were also calling for Ben White to be brought into the fold, but he wasn’t even named in this squad for this international break, despite Arsenal sitting top of the Premier League and with three clean sheets, no less.
Meanwhile, sidelined Maguire was responsible for the penalty that gave Germany the lead and the second goal, as it happens.
The rationale seems to be that Maguire has been a fairly consistent performer under Southgate, scoring some big goals in both of the last two tournaments and a key player in his preferred back three/five.
Shaw was one of the stand-outs of Euro 2020 — we relive that goal almost nightly. But even besides moments like that and Monday nights’s contribution, surely ‘sticking with what you know’ only goes so far and it makes little sense to be picking players who aren’t playing regularly.
More accurately, she did so by playing a largely positive, attacking style, enjoying plenty of possession in most games and hitting fast on the counter. In contrast, Southgate’s approach is considered somewhat reserved, even when his team are at their best.
While Southgate’s sides often dominate possession in games against weaker opponents, they are rarely perceived as risk-takers and the 52-year-old regularly favours a more defensive set-up even in games when most would argue it isn’t necessary. It’s one of the several reasons fans have grown impatient.
The man himself admitted in the build-up to the Germany game that even with his 2024 contract, he knows that he’ll be “judged on what happens at [the] World Cup” and emphasised that beyond his own job security, “it’s not healthy for the team to be having this noise around them”
🗣 "It's a situation we aren't enjoying."
Gareth Southgate is determined to turn around England's poor run of performances pic.twitter.com/ajzneLYkjA
Conversely, Raheem Sterling said before the game that the players need to “take some responsibility” for the misfiring of late, but insisted that the neither team nor the fans need to panic at this stage and that the boys will find their feet when World Cup starts on 20 November.
Moreover, even before they fought their way back into the game, Germany’s coach Hansi Flick offered his support, dubbed him “the most successful in [our] history” and citing that he has the best points average of any England manager.
Regardless of the pressure on him right now, it cannot be overlooked that Southgate has lost just 13 and drawn 17 in 76 matches, not to mention taking the nation as far in a tournament as they’ve been in 25 years. That’s what makes this debate such a painful and divisive one.
With that in mind, it’s worth reiterating that we would love nothing more than to see Southgate succeed and take this team that final step further. Nevertheless, it’s hard to ignore the very real possibility that this could be his last crack at it.
Even if they did complete the comeback against Germany, England still finished bottom of the group with a game to spare, ending on just three points and a minus-six goal difference. It’s chalk and cheese to the numbers put up by the Women’s team who filled the nation with such hope and pride just months ago.
As Sterling says, it is of course on the players as well, but you’d be hoping for a little more momentum with the World Cup starting in just 55 days.
Games like these are when you want to see a manager’s first-choice team taking shape and although we know there will be personnel changes in the final squad, it’s only going to take more time for members of the group to build that chemistry so key in tournament football.
It really does feel like we’ve reached a point where Southgate has to win a trophy or go the way of every other manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.
Being generous, it’s reach another final at the very least, but even that might not be enough for the FA to bet on him for another four years only to risk potentially falling short again while running the clock down on a talented generation of footballers.
If it does turn out to be his final tournament as England manager, we’ll always have the memories and we look forward to creating a few more this winter. I mean, anything can happen in a knockout competition – who knows, maybe he’ll help bring it home after all?
Featured Image: England (via Twitter)
Sport
Salford City FC confirm former Manchester United shirt sponsor as latest commercial partner
Danny Jones
Salford City FC have announced a former Manchester United financial partner and well-known shirt sponsor as their latest commercial partner.
The local League Two, helmed by the consortium consisting of ex-Man United players most commonly known as the ‘Class of ’92’, now share even more in common with the Red Devils beyond just the colour of their shirt and some old personnel.
However, the Greater Manchester side has struggled to progress in recent years, so the owners have continued to look to generate further revenue when it comes to the business off the pitch; cue the return of a familiar logo and, arguably, one of the most recognisable sponsors to ever feature on a footy kit.
While it may not be featuring pride of place on the front of their shirt – that position still belongs to Fireball Whisky following their July 2024 deal – as it once did for Manchester United, Salford City have welcomed the American International Group (AIG) as a new minority equity investor.
Announcing the collaboration on social media, the ambitious Ammies wrote: “AIG’s investment in the Club is a powerful endorsement of the model we’re building, aligning world-class partners with a football-first vision grounded in ambition and long-term commitment.
“Together, we’re accelerating Salford’s next chapter and laying the foundation for lasting success, on and off the pitch.” AIG were paired up with MUFC from the 2006/07 campaign to the end of the 2009/10.
AIG are the first Fortune 500 company to back a League Two outfit in EFL history.
Beyond already being a multi-national insurance group, they were famously partnered with one of the most decorated Man United teams of all-time and therefore share part of the visual legacy by serving as the front-of-shirt sponsor for one of the most iconic shirts of all time.
We’re of course referring to the 2007 home jersey, which was worn by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Paul Scholes and more as they won the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, before the kit was kept for 08/09 as well.
Of course, the firm itself is no stranger to sporting crossovers; as well as sponsoring Manchester United at the peak of their powers, they also sponsor the likes of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the AIG Women’s Open and lots more golf in Ireland.
Speaking on the new deal, SCFC co-chair Declan Kelly, added: “Partnering with AIG, a world-class organisation under the outstanding vision and leadership of Chairman and CEO Peter Zaffino, represents another major step forward in the evolution of Salford City FC.
“It proves what’s possible when global investment aligns with a football-first approach. AIG is committed to helping Salford achieve its vision of becoming the best small club in the world, and their investment, both financially and strategically, will help accelerate our next phase of progress.”
With Salford having called for new investors in February 2024, this is the kind of backing they were no doubt hoping for, with AIG also expected to help fund key upgrades to the Peninsula Stadium and more.
As for on the pitch, there’s been plenty of movement in the transfer market already this summer window, with the return of a highly-rated young goalkeeper being one that has delighted fans in particular.
Featured Images — Salford City (via club website/via X)
Sport
Relaunch date revealed for majorly revamped Altrincham Leisure Centre
Danny Jones
The opening date for the relaunch of Altrincham Leisure Centre, which recently underwent a serious revamp, has officially been announced.
Yes, Alty Leisure Centre – or rather, ‘move Altrincham’, as it will be known moving forward – is finally set to reopen in full following a significant rebrand and redevelopment.
Works on the local Trafford leisure centre and community hub actually first began way back in January 2023, but now, over two and a half years on from its closure for refurbishment, it’s just weeks away from being reopened to the public.
Now officially relaunching on 26 August, move Altrincham comes three years on from the opening of a fellow fitness facility in the borough, with move Urmston debuting in 2022.
Much like how the pandemic delayed the unveiling of their counterparts, it’s taken quite a while to complete the Altrincham Leisure Centre (ATC) overhaul.
The Urmston venue saw over £7 million pumped into resurrecting the old 1980s building back but in the case of ATC, more than £20m has been invested into this latest project overall.
Featuring a new, bigger and better fitness suite, state-of-the-art swimming pools, ‘The Cove Spa’ post-workout recovery and wellness assessment room; a brand-new purpose-built gymnastics hub, an expanded sports hall, as well as lots more, the place is set to be virtually unrecognisable.
As well as a rejigged changing room set-up, catering to men, women, groups and crucially inclusive, there’ll also be an enticing new cafe, featuring a resident in-house bakery from native artisans, MOST.
They really have put everything you could hope for into this major regeneration.
Local authorities have already dubbed this move Altrincham the “most sustainable sports facility” in the region, ahead of its opening later this month.
Sure to be a busy Alty outlet, Trafford Council has also confirmed that the building will use huge air source heat pumps and solar panels, saving upwards of 400 tonnes of carbon per year, with the remaining electricity imported off the grid pulled from a 100% green, renewable supply.
“More than 8,000 tonnes of carbon will be saved over the lifecycle of the pumps and panels, addressing the Council’s priority of addressing the climate crisis and becoming Carbon Neutral by 2038″, they go on to add.
Fixtures like this have been funded with support from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the UK government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, with over £2m of funding secured to bring the scheme to life.
Even the ‘purer’ pools will cost less money and water to run, not to mention the bonus of safe storage for bikes, nearby travel links to the Bee Network and EV charging points in the car park.
Speaking on the impending opening date, Cllr Aidan Williams – Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change – beckoned the reborn leisure centre as a shining example of the borough’s commitment to crucial environmental change.
“move Altrincham is a great example of how we’re setting new standards in Trafford that will help the Council achieve its zero carbon goals and send a powerful message to our communities that we treat climate change seriously and are working hard to create a greener, cleaner future,” says Williams.
Once again, the new and improved Alty Leisure Centre opens its doors on Tuesday, 26 August, and we can’t wait to see what the neighbours make of it.
Danny Jones -
26th September 2022 
