Gareth Southgate is on a mission to help struggling young men in his new BBC documentary as more of them are sucked into the “manosphere” way of thinking – however, he won’t be mentioning Andrew Tate.
The former England men’s football manager explores how an increasing number of boys are feeling lost after the pandemic in Gareth Southgate: Changing the Game for Young Men. Speaking to young men across the country, the ex football coach looks at how many are overlooked in education, employment and family life, with some turning to influencers who peddle toxic masculinity online.
While controversial social media personality Andrew Tate is often seen as a “manosphere” figurehead, Southgate has revealed that he won’t be talking about him in his new documentary.
“I don’t want to give him the publicity,” he told The Times. “He’s not worth it.”
Tate, a self-described misogynist, has gained millions of followers online by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that critics say often involves denigrating women. He has been under criminal investigation on human trafficking charges in Romania since 2022, with prosecutors recently adding charges of instigating hatred and discrimination against women. He has denied all wrongdoing.
Southgate told the publication that unlike Louis Theroux’s recent documentary Inside the Manosphere, he is choosing to talk to struggling young men rather than influencers like Tate for his film.
“They have too much attention already,” he said. “But these guys are savvy – there is a business model for them in saying outrageous stuff. When there is a gap in lads’ lives – with no men at home or in youth clubs or at school – they [the influencers] are filling that gap and getting money for it.”
He added that society is not “providing enough alternatives for young boys” like sports clubs and the Scouts, “so bad characters attract bored boys online”.
The former footballer managed the England men’s team from 2016 until 2024, having led them to two FIFA World Cup finals and two UEFA Euro finals. He said last August that he wasn’t actively looking to return to management, telling PA: “I’m enjoying my life. I’ve got quite a lot on.”
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Southgate first spoke out about the “crisis” facing young men in the digital age during his Richard Dimbleby Lecture in March 2025, highlighting the dangers of “callous, manipulative, toxic” influencers.
“As real-world communities and mentorship declines, young men end up withdrawing, reluctant to talk or express their emotions,” he said in his speech at the University of London. “They spend more time online searching for direction and are falling into unhealthy alternatives like gaming, gambling and pornography. And this void is filled by a new kind of role model who does not have their best interest at heart.
“With England, we gave ourselves the best chance to succeed. And we must give our young men the best chance to succeed as well. That’s the message we need to offer young men today.”
Gareth Southgate: Changing the Game for Young Men airs Monday at 9pm on BBC One.
