16 November 2023 , 22:33
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Gareth Southgate admits he might never convince his doubters - but says no-one should underestimate his desire to win.
Southgate goes back to where it all began on Friday at a sold out Wembley as Malta were his first opponents in October 2016 after he took over as England caretaker boss. It will be an incredible show of support as England are already qualified for next summer's, Euros but Southgate acknowledged that he will struggle to win some over them over.
Three Lions boss Southgate said: "I am sure there will have been a lot of doubts some years ago whether I was capable of doing it and of course, there will be other doubts people will have and that will always be the same.
"You will always have questions asked of you but as a person, and as a coach, you will always learn through every experience you have and every day will throw a different challenge and you are learning all the time.
"There are very few countries around the world that can get an attendance like we will have at Wembley tomorrow for a game against an opponent ranked further down the rankings when we have already secured qualification.
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"The players deserve credit because they have played exceptionally, scored a lot of goals and been exciting so people are looking forward to watching them play. When I travel around, that’s what people say when they are speaking to me. It says what football means to this country, there is no doubt about that."
Southgate's first game in charge of England was against Malta in October 2016 (Getty Images)What's your thoughts on Gareth Southgate? Let us know in the comments below!
Wembley is expecting a sell-out crowd in excess of 86,000 which shows the backing for England - even if there always seems to be a national debate around Southgate’s ability as a manager. Southgate will take charge of his 90th game as manager against Malta and will make it to 100 if he reaches the quarter finals of next summer’s Euros.
That is Southgate’s overwhelming target and he insisted his desire for success and to end England’s wait for a trophy is stronger than ever even if he does not feel the need to scream on the touchline. Southgate added: "I don’t get up at five in the morning and come home from games at three in the middle of the night because I’ve got no interest in winning.
"I know I may not scream and be like a banshee on the sidelines, but that doesn’t mean that you want to win any less than other people."
After Friday's game, England will travel to North Macedonia for their final Euro 2024 qualifier on Monday. The other nations to have already qualified are Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Scotland, Turkey, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and hosts Germany.