FR
EN
2 December 2017
Twenty years later, the history will repeat itself for Gareth Southgate in the World Cup
Led by their head coach Gareth Southgate, England will face Belgium, Tunisia and Panama in the group G of the World Cup 2018. This competition will be special for Gareth Southgate. The 47-year-old will lead the Three Lions at Russia in the next summer, twenty years after representing England in the World Cup as a player.
In 1998, Southgate was taking part in the World Cup for the first time in his career at 26. The Aston Villa centre-back made his debut in this competition during the England’s opening game against Tunisia (2-0).
Twenty years later, his first World Cup game as a manager will be played against… Tunisia !Toulon Tournament 2016 winner said just after the World Cup draw on this Friday.
On paper, this group G seems to be a favorable draw for the Three Lions but England will not underestimate any teams as they struggled during their last international tournaments (group stage exit at the World Cup 2014 and then a last-16 exit at the Euro 2016).
“When we have just come from two tournaments where Costa Rica knocked us out, and then Iceland, it would be folly for us not to be serious about our preparation and make sure of our mentality, but also not being fearful of what might happen is an important balance to find”, the Watford-born warned.
Amayes Brahmi -
Credits photo : Reuters
