Gareth Southgate’s belief in his England squad and their belief in themselves sets the current roster apart from those under previous managers, according to the Daily Mail’s Oliver Holt and Sami Mokbel.
The Three Lions begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night with the hopes of a nation resting on their shoulders. England come into the tournament as favourites, having reached the final of the last edition three years ago.
Much talk surrounded the omissions of Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish from the final squad. But heading into the opening game, the camp – like in the three previous tournaments under Southgate – appears in a confident, yet jovial mood.
It’s All Kicking Off co-host Ian Ladyman was joined by the Daily Mail’s Chief Sports Writer Oliver Holt and Chief Football Reporter Sami Mokbel, who shared their belief that part of England recent success is down to the environment Southgate has fostered.
England reached the semi-final of the World Cup in their first competition under the former Under 21s manager before going one step further at Euro 2020. Though, the Qatar World Cup 18 months ago ended in heartbreak at the quarter-final stage, they earned credit for going toe-to-toe with eventual runners-up France.
Holt contrasted Southgate’s approach to that of Glenn Hoddle at the 1998 World Cup and Fabio Cappello – who he believes simply didn’t understand the psyche of English players at that time.
Listen to It’s All Kicking Off! on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. New episodes released every day during the Euros.
Gareth Southgate is hoping to end England’s long wait for a trophy in his fourth major tournament as boss
![Legendary Italian manager Fabio Capello (right) was unable to turnaround the fortunes of the national team](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/16/10/86179505-13535189-image-a-5_1718530426897.jpg)
Legendary Italian manager Fabio Capello (right) was unable to turnaround the fortunes of the national team
![Roy Hodgson suffered a humiliating round of 16 exit to Iceland at Euro 2016 after failing to progress from the group stages at the 2014 World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/16/10/86179511-13535189-image-a-6_1718530478193.jpg)
Roy Hodgson suffered a humiliating round of 16 exit to Iceland at Euro 2016 after failing to progress from the group stages at the 2014 World Cup
![Spirits are high in the camp as England enter the competition full of confidence they can go one better than three years ago](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/16/10/86179303-13535189-image-a-3_1718529570838.jpg)
Spirits are high in the camp as England enter the competition full of confidence they can go one better than three years ago