England manager Gareth Southgate expressed that he does not think destiny is steering the Three Lions towards Euro 2024 triumph, yet he harbors dreams of ending a 58-year drought to clinch a major tournament victory in Sunday's final against Spain. Three years after losing the Euro 2020 final on home soil to Italy, Southgate's team has another shot at becoming European champions for the first time in Berlin. England's path to the final has been challenging, marked by a series of late goals, comebacks, and a penalty shoot-out victory against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
"I'm not a believer in fairy tales but I am a believer in dreams," Southgate stated at his pre-match press conference on Saturday. "We've had big dreams, we've felt the need and the importance of that but then you have to make those things happen." He emphasized that fate, their run, late goals, and penalties do not guarantee their moment; they must make it happen through performance.
Southgate has reshaped England from consistent underachievers into regular contenders at major tournaments. In his four World Cups or Euros, England has reached one quarter-final, one semi-final, and now two finals, including their first ever on foreign soil. However, Southgate acknowledged the need to take the next step to earn global respect for their gradual improvement.
"I've traveled to World Cups, European Championships watching as an observer and watched highlights before the matches that were on the big screens and we weren't in any of them because you only show the finals and you only show the big games," he added. "So we needed to change that. We had high expectations but they didn't match where we were performance wise." Now, despite high expectations and consistent performances in recent tournaments, they need to win the trophy to truly earn respect from the football world.
Southgate's contract expires at the end of the year, with questions about his future regardless of Sunday's result. The 53-year-old noted that the highs and lows of his career, especially the last eight years leading his country, have prepared him to face the final without fear. "To represent my country as a player and then to be able to lead my country for eight years as a manager is the biggest privilege I could possibly have," said Southgate. "Tomorrow I don't have any fear of what might happen because I've been through everything. I want the players to feel that fearlessness. I want them to be able to be the best version of themselves." Whatever the outcome, their strong group support and the philosophy of not fearing loss enhance their chances of victory.
