Gareth Southgate admits shutting down social media to curb unnecessary outside noises

Gareth Southgate pointed out to the positive and negative impacts that social media could have upon the team.

Gareth Southgate admits shutting down social media to curb unnecessary outside noises

England head coach Gareth Southgate. (via IMAGO)

England manager Gareth Southgate, ahead of the national team’s match against Denmark, admitted that he is blocking out social media networks in order to curb unnecessary criticism. This move he exclaimed was in an effort to focus on the Three Lions’ qualification.

The Three Lions, who registered an unconvincing victory over Serbia a few days ago, now turning their attention to Denmark. They will aim to win against the Euro 2020 semi-finalists in a bid to secure their knockout spot. But, an erratic and fatigued second-half display against Serbia has raised questions over manager Southgate’s abilities. Fans have raised concerns about whether the team can live up to tag of being the favorites.

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Speaking to the press ahead of the match, the English manager addressed how he handled online media criticism and reactions. Southgate exclaimed that he is personally blocking out the usage of social media for mental well-being, as well as for the distraction it causes. While he said that some players follow a similar approach, he agreed that the others engage with online content despite its potential distractions, be it positive or negative.

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My world is a happier place if I shut myself off. It is not good from a global perspective because I haven’t got a clue what’s going on in politics or events elsewhere. But for the next month that is going to be a better place for me. So that helps me really keep on track.
Gareth Southgate on social media usage

Moreover, Southgate also said that the national team garners more attention than clubs due to media coverage and social media amplification. In what could be his last international tournament with the Three Lions, he therefore expressed his priority in keeping players on track.

Euros 2024 could be Gareth Southgate’s international last outing as England’s head coach

Aiming to win the European Championship for the first time in the country’s history, England manager Gareth Southgate could resign from the role of the head coach after the competition. England will be hoping to win the title after failing to win it during the 2020 edition, where they lost out in the finals to Italy at the Wembley stadium.

Gareth Southgate England
2024 Euros could be Gareth Southgate’s last international outing(via IMAGO)

The Three Lions have been placed in a difficult group which includes Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia. Moreover, he has assembled an intriguing and richly talented team around veteran goal-scorer Harry Kane and talented midfielder Jude Bellingham. There is increased speculation that he is eyeing a job with a Premier League club, after ending his nine-year stint as the head coach of the England national side.

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