Gareth Southgate has been discussing how his time with Middlesbrough can inspire England to win Euro 2024.
The early 2000s was by far and away the most successful period of the club’s history.
Middlesbrough won their first trophy in 2004, beating Bolton Wanderers to lift the League Cup.
The North East outfit also enjoyed several European runs during this time, reaching the UEFA Cup final in 2006.
One of the club’s standout stars from this era was former club captain and Middlesbrough legend, Gareth Southgate.
Southgate, who ended his career at the Riverside Stadium, is now, of course, the manager of the England national team.
England are currently taking part in Euro 2024 and will meet Spain in the final on July 14th.
Southgate draws on Middlesbrough experience to inspire England
Despite having plenty of world-class talent throughout the decades, England have not won a trophy since 1966.
The Three Lions reached the European Championship final for the first time in 2021 but lost to Italy.
Spain meanwhile, have a long history of international success, winning the Euros on back-to-back occasions in 2008 and 2012.
But while England are lacking international pedigree going into Sunday’s final, Southgate is hoping to use his experience with Middlesbrough to motivate the team.
Boro had gone 125 years without a trophy before Southgate captained them in the 2004 League Cup final and is set to draw on that triumph with England.
He said: “Doing what I’m now, you’re looking to break down barriers all the time, you’re looking to give people belief of why things can happen.
“It’s a story I relate to. You know look, by the way, I was with the team that 125 years, never won anything.
“Everything is possible. So yes [Middlesbrough has] been a massive part of my life and for my family who, their only memory of me playing for my kids was playing for Middlesbrough.”
Southgate not the only former Middlesbrough man helping England at Euro 2024
While much of the focus this summer has been on Southgate, another ex-Middlesbrough star also has a key role for England at Euro 2024.
Former Boro striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink joined Southgate’s England coaching staff in March 2023.
He is currently a part of the Three Lions’ staff in Germany and played an important role in their shootout win over Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Phil Foden, Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Jude Bellingham recently spoke about how the ex-centre-forward has been helping England’s strikers as well as providing penalty shootout tips.