England’s recent match against Slovakia in Euro 2024 showcased Gareth Southgate’s ongoing issue with in-game management. Despite a last-minute victory, the match raised questions about his tactics and substitutions.
Southgate waited until the fourth minute of added time to bring on Ivan Toney, leading to a fortunate sequence that saw Jude Bellingham score a stunning scissor kick. Critics argue Southgate was too slow to react, missing opportunities to unsettle Slovakia earlier.
Throughout the game, Southgate’s choices seemed questionable. He delayed introducing Cole Palmer until the 66th minute and Eberechi Eze until the 84th minute, despite clear struggles on the pitch. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Anthony Gordon, who could have added needed dynamism, remained unused.
Historically, Southgate’s in-game rigidity has been costly. In past tournaments, he has been criticized for not responding swiftly to tactical changes by opponents, as seen in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and the Euro 2020 final.
While Southgate made crucial defensive substitutions after England took the lead, his overall ability to change the flow of a game remains in doubt. England will need more than luck against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
