The memes were merciless.
Southgate sits in a bath, lifejacket fastened to his torso amid the suds. He pedals away on a stationary exercise bike, helmet strapped securely to his head. His Nando’s order – plain chicken burger, straight chips, corn cob – comes bland and beige.
As England advanced through the early stages of Euro 2024 with all the elegance of a fatberg sliding down the sewer, relations became strained.
For his critics, Southgate’s team had become a caricature of the manager himself – all caution and consideration, no cut and thrust.
They saw the joy micromanaged out of England’s game and an attack second-guessing itself, doubting instincts and instead shifting the ball and responsibility sideways.
And, to a point, they had a point.
Before the Euro 2024 final, nine teams had had more shots on target than England.
The Czech Republic, eliminated in the pool stages, had only one fewer.
England ended the tournament 10th for xG – an indication of the cumulative quality of the chances they have created.
The goalless draw against Slovenia – possibly the most drab of their performances – was marked by some England fans throwing beer at Southgate as he came over to thank them for their support.
“I took this job to try to improve English football, to try to give us nights like this,” he said after England had made the semi-finals.
“I can’t deny then when things get as personal as it has that does hurt.”
Southgate, though, has plenty to throw back. His consistency at major tournaments is unmatched by any other England manager.
In 2018, he took England to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in a generation.
In 2021, he took England to the European Championships final for the first time ever. This summer, he has repeated the feat, ensuring a first major final away from home in England’s history.
For a nation that has struggled to get anywhere near the podium at World Cups and Euros to suddenly be worried about style marks when they do, seems… demanding.
The semi-final victory over the Netherlands, when Southgate’s substitutes Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins combined for the decisive late goal, shifted that narrative and undermined the accusation that Southgate is slow to react when England lose momentum mid-match.
Palmer, again brought off the bench, scored England’s only goal in the final defeat by Spain.
But, despite reports before the final that the FA are attempting to persuade Southgate to stay, it feels like a natural break point may still have been reached; England could benefit from a different energy, Southgate would relish a different challenge.
Despite Atomic Kitten’s protests, the magic may have run its course. Southgate and England perhaps just no longer turn each other on like they once did.
Whenever he goes, Southgate will leave behind a string of shimmering campaigns that soundtracked a succession of summers.
There is a reinvigorated connection between players and public. At Euro 2016, a one-two combination of indifference and derision had left that relationship on the floor.
Internally Southgate has ensured that a team, so often fractured by cliques and club loyalties, has been unbroken through on and off-pitch upheaval.
He could have easily stood aside to let players have their say in the summer of 2020 and its wake. It would have been easy to do and easy to defend.
Instead he stood shoulder to shoulder with them.
“This is a special group. Humble, proud and liberated in being their true selves,” he said., external
“I have never believed that we should just stick to football.
“I know my voice carries weight, not because of who I am but because of the position that I hold. I have a responsibility to the wider community to use my voice, and so do the players.”
Above all he had led his country with understated decency, sincerity and humanity – quiet qualities whose value will rise rapidly when absent.
None of this fills a cabinet at St George’s Park of course, but it is a legacy to weigh against any silverware.