‘None of us fancied going home’ says Southgate as England reach semi-finals

• England manager savours ‘best day in coaching’
• ‘We’ve got here because the collective has been so strong’

Gareth Southgate has spoken of his pride at following in the footsteps of Sir Alf Ramsey, Sir Bobby Robson and Terry Venables in becoming the fourth England manager to steer the national side to the semi-final of a major tournament.

England will compete in the last four of the World Cup for the first since 1990 in Moscow on Wednesday with Southgate having guided the least experienced squad at the tournament to within 90 minutes of the final. He paid tribute to his players and staff and the manager – who had doubted he would ever shrug off the stigma of being relegated with Middlesbrough early in his coaching career – contemplated the opportunity that awaits.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2MWQrPj