Gareth Southgate’s closest buddy, Bromley supervisor Andy Woodman, has shot again at criticism of the England workforce forward of their Euros conflict with Slovakia on Sunday.
Having met as youngsters within the Crystal Palace youth system, Southgate and Woodman have been mates for over 35 years. With the previous occurring to symbolize his nation on the pitch and within the dugout, and the latter making his profession largely within the second and third divisions, the pair wrote about their divergent paths within the joint biography Woody and Nord: A soccer friendship. (‘Nord’ being Southgate’s nickname at Palace, for sounding like tv presenter Denis Norden.) They have been additionally each other’s greatest man, and Southgate is godfather to Woodman’s footballer son, Freddie.
Now, with England coming underneath hearth for his or her performances within the group stage at Euro 2024, Woodman has known as on followers and the media to deal with what issues: getting by way of every recreation.
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“I nonetheless suppose there’s a variety of negativity, they gained the group,” he tells FourFourTwo. “I do know the noise on the market however event soccer is event soccer. There are different groups which have solely gained 1-0 however they’re by way of – and we’re by way of too. Now, for my part, is the place the true stuff begins.
“We will say we haven’t accomplished this or not received that proper and everybody has an opinion. However I do know one factor: I don’t go right into a mechanic’s workshop and inform him methods to put an engine in. There appear to be a variety of consultants. However he’s received by way of the group, mission one is achieved.
“I’d wish to suppose the England camp is simply battening down the hatches and blanking out as a lot of the noise as they will, going about their enterprise. I do know folks within the media have a job to do and I respect that, I do. However I query one or two of their clickbait noises.”
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Final season Woodman guided Bromley into League Two for the primary time of their 132-year historical past, whereas stress started to mount on Southgate after attracts with Ukraine and North Macedonia, and defeat to Brazil. (For stability, England additionally misplaced simply as soon as between December 2022 and June 2024.)
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The Ravens boss stated he speaks with Southgate all year long, however that when event soccer begins he leaves his buddy to focus.
“I all the time want him luck earlier than tournaments however I do know when he goes it’s just about full on, lockdown. After we [Bromley] gained [the play-offs] I had 500 messages. So with respect, the very last thing Gareth wants is me checking up on him to ensure he’s okay. I’ll let the event go after which I’m positive as soon as it’s completed and he’s had his vacation we’ll catch up.
“We converse all season and we spoke right through the season. It fascinates me – and I’m not criticising the query – that folks say: ‘Do you converse?’ We’re identical to some other greatest associates! We decide up the telephone, chat away, speak about movies and household and soccer.
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
“In fact we chat and moan about our personal conditions. Pay attention, we’re at two completely different ends of the spectrum however we come up in opposition to the identical issues. We’re in the identical setting, only one may be very magnified and one’s not so magnified.”
Woodman has praised Southgate’s qualities as England supervisor earlier than. However having first met him when he was captain of Palace’s youth groups – and later captain of the senior outfit – the previous goalkeeper says there have been few indicators of the profession forward.
“Did I do know after we have been 13 or 14 years of age that he’d be England supervisor at some stage? No. Did I ever take a look at him like that? No. Do I ever take a look at him now prefer it? Sure, and with respect, however he’s nonetheless my buddy. We’ve been by way of youth groups collectively, promotions, relegations, and most significantly our households have grown up collectively. So it’s in all probability greater than a buddy, he’s extra like a member of the family.”
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