Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterGareth Southgate’s time as England manager has divided opinion sharply. Some hail him for restoring pride and structure, while others call his record ‘absolutely crap’ due to the lack of trophies. This heated discussion captures the tension at the heart of English football’s coaching legacy.
Former England assistant and 1998 World Cup Netherlands semifinalist Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink joined a live talkSPORT debate to discuss Gareth Southgate’s legacy as England manager. The conversation was full of passion and sharp opinions about whether Southgate’s reign truly counts as success.
Hasselbaink praised Southgate for turning around England’s fortunes, pointing to the team reaching finals and semi-finals where they had little previous history of success. “He got England to fall back in love with football,” said England legend Carl Walker during the same show. “Gareth started the journey that Thomas Tuchel is now building on.” But not everyone agreed.
The key sticking point? Trophies. While Southgate’s England reached the Euro final twice and a World Cup semifinal, critics argued this isn’t enough. “No trophies mean no success,” said one voice bluntly. They slammed Southgate’s style as overly defensive and accused him of lacking the killer instinct to win big games. The feeling was that Tuchel’s arrival as coach aims to bring the winning edge that Southgate couldn’t provide.
Southgate’s supporters were quick to fire back: “He took England from rock bottom after the Iceland defeat to regular major tournament contenders. That’s progress and success in any manager’s book.” Hasselbaink added that it’s the process and foundation that matter, not just the eventual silverware. “You can’t judge just by trophies. It’s about what you improve and build.”
The debate touched on famous past England managers like Bobby Robson and Terry Venables, questioning if any of them deserve success labels despite also not winning major trophies. The comparison highlighted how England’s football culture often fixates on winning over progress and belief-building. “You judge managers on results,” argued one participant, “and Southgate didn’t deliver a trophy.”
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, with his unique perspective of playing for Netherlands in five World Cups, challenged the trophy-only view. Having lost multiple finals yet won a World Cup in 2010, he showed how success is not always so straightforward. “I’ve got the medal; he’s got the final appearances,” Hasselbaink said, highlighting different measures of achievement.
The conversation also got into England’s current World Cup campaign, with optimism despite some tolerance for flaws. Hasselbaink predicted a 2-1 England win against Norway, emphasizing the team’s character and hunger. The feeling was that Southgate’s groundwork has enabled England to be among the world’s top teams — now just one step away from actually lifting a trophy.
As the debate concluded, a clear split emerged. On one hand, Southgate is credited with reviving England’s identity, increasing belief, and setting the stage for future success. On the other, some see no substitute for winning, and Southgate fell short where it counts most. The arrival of Thomas Tuchel is widely seen as the next chapter in England’s pursuit of glory — a challenge to convert promise into silverware.
For fans wondering about the future, this debate frames the essential football question: can progress without trophies really be success? And can England finally cross that line and claim a World Cup or European Championship crown?
