Gareth Southgate on football's 'exciting' future and children's impressive skills

Gareth Southgate is excited about the future. And that’s not just because he’s the manager of a great England team, but because the nation’s children are taking football skills to “another level”.

“I think the game and kids’ development in this country has changed enormously over the last five or 10 years,” he says, “and we’re starting to see that at the senior ages, but over the next 10 to 15 years it’s going to be hugely exciting.”

England football manager and former player Southgate is speaking after watching boys and girls aged between five and 11 display their footballing talent at free coaching sessions.

“I’m amazed, really, at what that age group looks like compared to 10 years ago, or certainly when I was that age,” he says.

“The emphasis on skill development and enjoyment is so much higher, and their ability with the ball is another level to what it used to be.”

Southgate, who steered the senior England team to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 for the first time in 28 years, saw the skills on display at a McDonald’s Fun Football session.

The free events, organised by McDonald’s and the four UK Football Associations are offering thousands of children throughout the country aged between five and 11 the chance to play football and develop their skills under the watchful eye of experienced youth coaches.

For a few minutes only, Southgate took the coaching reins himself, although he modestly admits: “I did a tiny bit of coaching, but they’ve got really good coaches who are much better qualified to take that age group, they’re very experienced at doing what they do. They knew they could do it better than I would.”

Southgate was made an ‘honorary Yorkshireman’ by the Yorkshire tourist board in 2018 after moving to Harrogate 17 years earlier when he signed for Middlesbrough.

In an interview with Welcome to Yorkshire’s This is Y magazine last year, the 50-year-old father-of-two spoke of his love of fat rascals and heading to Betty’s for breakfast.

“[I love] the people and their hardworking, no-nonsense attitude, good values, honesty and humility that really shines through,” he said.

“All things I associate with. I also love to come away from matches, to the calm of living in the countryside and being able to clear my head.”

He spoke too of family days watching his children play sport and says when it comes to football, he gets “great enjoyment” in watching young players develop and improve.

“It’s such a difficult and long journey to become a professional,” he muses. “Even to be involved with a club at 15 or 16 is an incredibly tough journey, like any talent pathway, whether that’s dance or music.

“There’s a long journey ahead, but without good foundations at this age it’s very difficult to pick that up later.

“I think it’s amazing how youth football has changed. Investment in facilities is critical – I live in the north of England and a lot of the games are cancelled because of wet weather or frozen pitches, so we still have a challenge with facilities.

“But when we’ve got facilities that can be used, the skill levels of young kids are improving all the time, and ultimately that will definitely benefit England in the years to come.”

It’s not just about finding the next professional player though.

“Having taken grassroots teams myself, this is more about kids having fun and – particularly at this time we’re living through – the opportunity to play football for free,” he reasons.

“Opening up facilities for youngsters to play and be with their friends has such important physical gains but also helps mental wellbeing, which is critical.

“There are actually some very, very talented kids playing, girls and boys, but it’s not just about the highly talented, it’s about kids enjoying themselves and getting out – especially with the period we’ve just been through.

“To be able to come to a safe environment and play with friends and other kids is so important.

“It’s nice to get outside and see them with smiles on their faces – generally speaking, you’ve got to drag them off the pitch before they get fed-up or bored.”

The Government has guidance for those who work in grassroots sport.

“There are definitely some restrictions and things that as coaches you have to be aware of,” Southgate says. “Of course, generally speaking, youngsters aren’t going to be affected as directly by the virus as older people, but still we know the consequences if they catch it and pass it on to their families.

“So there’s a huge emphasis on safety, and similar to schools, there are guidelines in place for coaches.

“We know through research that’s been done in the professional game as well, that short periods of time when they’re playing and coming into contact is extremely low risk.

“So it’s more the socialising – quite a lot in football there’d be high fives and handshakes and those sorts of things, and now it’s elbow bumps and fist pumps – it’s just making sure you’re sensible.”

Part of being a coach, he says, is being a role model for children.

“If you’re coaching young children, they’re going to look up to you – you might be the most important person in their life, everybody’s home situation is different.

“That’s a crucial role that coaches play, particularly in grassroots football and with young players.

“It’s a position of quite a lot of responsibility, no matter what level of player you’re taking.”

Reflecting on his own childhood, Watford-born Southgate says coaches played an important role – and continue to do so today.

“When I was growing up my parents were my role models, and definitely the coaches I worked with, some of whom I’m still in touch with today.

“It was an important stage in my life, particularly when I was a teenager – you form bonds and maybe look outside the family for mentoring or guidance, and I’ve maintained those relationships right through my life.

“The coaches that are there and show a belief in you and have also lived through the difficulties with you when you’re trying to make your way as a player, through all the ups and downs that journey involves, you know they’re there caring for you and also pushing you at the right time.

“It’s a strong bond that you have as a young player with your youth coaches, definitely.”

Gareth Southgate was relaunching McDonald’s Fun Football programme. Find your nearest Fun Football Centre and sign up for a session at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball

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James Mitchinson