A former Middlesbrough player who worked under Gareth Southgate has provided an insight into England’s success at Euro 2024.
The 2024/25 Championship season is now under one month away, with the opening day set to take place on Saturday, August 10th.
Middlesbrough will kick off their campaign with a home fixture at the Riverside Stadium versus Swansea City.
Before that, though, the country’s eyes are firmly fixed on England, who are set to meet Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
Boro might not have any current stars playing a role in the Three Lions’ setup this year, but a couple of ex-Middlesbrough men have been crucial to their success.
Former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is in Germany as a coach for England and has been praised by four players for his key role in the national team.
Leading the charge for England, meanwhile, is Middlesbrough legend and former captain, Gareth Southgate.
Josh Walker explains Gareth Southgate England success
Despite now reaching two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final, Southgate has often been criticised while in the England dugout.
The former Boro man, to the average fan at least, does not make subs early enough in games and his team selection is generally a topic of debate ahead of each match.
However, while some fans may not like Southgate, there is no denying he is England’s most successful manager in the last 50 years.
Now, another former Middlesbrough player, Josh Walker, has shared an insight into why Southgate has been so successful with his country, as per Teesside Live.
Walker was at Boro between 2006-2010 and worked under Southgate when he was Middlesbrough boss.
He said: “I’ve been in the changing room when he has lost it at times, so he’s definitely got that side to him where he can switch.
“He’s obviously building an environment there where the players feel comfortable and enjoy going away and that’s down to Gareth and his staff.
“As players, when you work under managers you don’t always agree with every decision he will make. I know there will be players in that squad who will be unhappy they haven’t played as many minutes as they would have liked.
“But based on my experiences with Gareth, he was very honest with you.”
Middlesbrough can learn from Southgate England success
Despite often having world-class players at their disposal, England have previously struggled to reach their full potential on the big stage.
However, the FA have been wise in their decision to continue backing Southgate despite him yet to win a trophy.
The 53-year-old is the country’s third-longest serving manager behind Walter Winterbottom and Alf Ramsey.
Middlesbrough are currently in a similar situation with Michael Carrick. The ex-Manchester United man is yet to deliver promotion but it is clear he is building something on Teesside.
Carrick signed a new three-year deal with Boro last month and Steve Gibson should continue to back his manager even if, like in 2023/24, things do not go exactly to plan.