God Save the USMNT: Is Gareth Southgate the Answer to America's Soccer Prayers?
Yes, if England don't want him, then why should US Soccer? There are some excellent reasons to go all out for Southgate, but his style of soccer might not be one of them...
What does Gareth Southgate do next? He could make for an interesting pundit, or he could potter around growing prize leeks. Rumor has it he wants to return to club management, but he’s been a long time out at that level, and the right job might take awhile if he’s looking at a top tier club.
Would teaming up with his old mucker Matt Crocker to reimagine England DNA in the States appeal to him, or to anyone, really? Let’s see:
The Case for hiring Southgate:
Consistent results in major tournaments, reaching the semifinals or finals multiple times.
Apart from winning something, Southgate has been more successful in his eight-year tenure than all other England managers combined bar Alf Ramsey - and he only gets the nod because he won the World Cup in 1966. Taking England from perennial underachievers to consistent contenders will be his legacy. The man knows tournament ball.
Experience managing a diverse group of players and handling the press.
The players like him, the press like him, Americans will like him. He helped change the culture around the England team by making the squad more accessible to the press and likable to the public. How this translates to the US is anyone’s guess, but he certainly changed the perception of England in the eyes of the ordinary fan who had become cynical of prima donnas not performing and not showing pride in the shirt. If capturing the imagination of America during the 2026 World Cup as a group is an aim then Southgate is a brilliant choice. He’s also English - enough said.
Pragmatic approach to international football, prioritizing results over flashy play.
Southgate knows how to win ugly. Boy, does he ever. But, the inability to grind out a result was a criticism of the recent Copa America campaign under Berhalter - perhaps unfairly - but Southgate should be able to help a young USMNT become more savvy. Also, Southgate isn’t anti-football. His sides can play. But he knows how to qualify and he knows to progress through a tournament.
Prior working relationship with U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker.
Does this make Southgate a better fit having worked with Crocker previously at the FA? Without doubt. In fact, they started England DNA together with Dan Ashworth, which set the blueprint for players coming through the junior ranks to the senior team, winning World Cups and Euro Championships at various age levels. Southgate should be able to hit the ground sprinting in some respects, which could be a huge boon with the World Cup two years away. But, he’s also an excellent longer term youth development choice.
Arguments against hiring Southgate:
Overly defensive tactics, inability to dominate weaker opponents, and poor against top-tier sides:
Probably the hardest sell to US Soccer fans is they’ve seen England. However, there have been spells under Southgate when England have played extremely well (the years around the Nations Cup springs to mind circa 2016), but he has a natural tendency for ultra-caution, especially in tournaments. His record against top ten international sides is poor, but against middle to lower ranking sides much better. It’s doubtful he’d change this for USMNT. His comments about not replacing Kalvin Phillips from the last Euros speak to that. He could be a fan of Tyler Adams, mind you.
Failure to win a trophy despite reaching multiple finals:
Something of a double-edged sword and an England problem more than a US Soccer problem. He may move USMNT to a level beyond where they are now, but that’s from a place of regression. He does understand the tournament process as well as any international coach, and has experience as a player and coach of tournaments held in the nation’s home country - Euro ‘96 where England were knocked out in the semi-final after a brilliant tournament, and the last Euros where England lost the final to Italy. Southgate knows the pressure of a home tournament better than anyone US Soccer is going to talk to.
Questionable tactical decisions and player selections during Euro 2024:
Undoubtedly yes. But, this would be a criticism leveled at any coach during their reign at some point. Southgate had too much talent in the forward areas, and not enough in others. The insistence on playing an unfit Kane, bemoaning the lack of a Kalvin Phillips to partner Rice in midfield, and taking one recognized left-back coming back from injury in Luke Shaw would be a huge cross in the no column. Starting Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, ditching him for Conor Gallagher before settling on Kobbie Mainoo could be seen as gross mismanagement. But, would this be the same with the USMNT and a smaller pool of top class talent to pick from?
Reliance on favorable draws in major tournaments:
A slightly harsh criticism in that the better you do in qualifying and in the group stages, the easier the path. There’s a world of difference between topping groups and squeaking through, and Southgate’s tournament management in that respect is by far the best of any England manager. By ranking, Spain and England faced similar teams. Yes, Spain faced home nation Germany, but Georgia wasn’t a banana skin, and France were terrible. But, once England did face a decent side, they were found wanting - wanting a different manager due to reactive in-game management. If this is some you hate about Berhalter, it’s not getting better under Southgate.
Not the right fit to address the specific challenges facing the USMNT:
Depends on the challenge set - short term tournament success vs longer term development? Style of play? Having worked with Matt Crocker there’s potential for alignment and an easier integration than there might be for other coaches. And, as mentioned above, he could be the only coach on the list that has navigated a home tournament as both a player and as a coach on the list. As far as youth development, he can help Matt Crocker implement as they’ve done it once with England DNA over the past decade.
Overall, the decision to hire Southgate would depend on whether U.S. Soccer prioritizes experience and tournament success over tactical innovation and a more proactive playing style. While Southgate has a proven track record of reaching the latter stages of major tournaments, his conservative approach and inability to consistently beat top-tier opponents raise concerns about his suitability for the USMNT.
There’s no way anyone in America who has seen England play in these past two tournaments wants to watch that. But, it isn’t gaslighting to suggest that Southgate can (and will) serve up better soccer than what the average US fan may have been led to believe. Youth development and working with Matt Crocker could be a no-brainer, while he will make USMNT a very likable team.
In short, if you want someone who can take USMNT through to the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup and help kick start Matt Crocker’s broader vision Gareth’s your man.
He might not bring anything home, but he’ll help you with the bus fare.
In Other Soccer News
Transfers:
The Guardian’s interactive transfer thing.
Southgate’s Stat(s) of the Day
Berhalter’s record against Top 30 opposition:
Analysis of the Day
Why England Never Play Good Football:
Quote of the Day
“England were playing very passive...It's the vision of the manager (Southgate). England will take a 1-0 lead, then he [Southgate] decides to start gambling with making his team compact and relying on moments for the remaining minutes of the game.” - Erik ten Hag
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Good read. One huge thing Southgate achieved when in charge of England was to unite the team and nation, for a period at least. He's unlikely to get you over the line but he will take the team that next step, and it will be set up nicely for the next man