Gareth Southgate, the manager who united a team and a nation

Gareth Southgate came in for a mountain of criticism when he picked his side to face Croatia in England’s opening game of Euro 2020 back on June 13.

Too defensive, too cautious, not enough flair, some fans and critics moaned. A left-back playing as a right-back, no Jack Grealish, wrong player at centre-back, they whined.

Southgate stuck to his guns, ignored them all, and England won 1-0. The journey was under way for his Three Lions adventurers.

The manager faced similar accusations against Scotland in the second game. One particularly sour individual even likened him to an average shop manager, writing to The National to say: “Southgate must go. A corporate type, very much a yes man.

“One imagines that if Southgate wasn’t involved in football, he would be the manager of a local supermarket. Don’t worry folks, superior shopping trolleys are on their way. Have faith, Gareth will deliver.”

How foolish these people sounded then, and even more so, now.

After leading England’s tremendous run to the World Cup semi-final in 2018, Southgate’s thrilling young side so nearly conquered Europe, only falling short against a vastly more experienced Italy on penalties (and yes, there have been some who have ridiculed his choice of penalty takers, the wrong picks in a lottery).

Impressive knockout wins against Germany - the first since 1966, by the way - Ukraine and Denmark have proved Southgate to be a manager of vision, of self-belief and above all a man the players want to work for.

That’s not necessarily easy in the era of millionaire teenagers and has certainly not always been the case in the torturous 55 years since England’s last appearance in a major final.

Southgate said Sunday’s defeat was “incredibly painful".

“When you're in sport and you get to finals, those opportunities are so rare, so to be close, it's very hard the day after. You have given everything - the emotions are drained.”

That much was evident at Wembley. The fans - aside from a small misbehaving minority - gave everything as well.

Southgate did more than unite a football team during Euro 2020, he united a country in belief after a Covid-ravaged 16 months of misery. He is eloquent, likeable and pragmatic.

Football fans are a fickle bunch, but to see such unity behind England - a side often divided by club loyalty in the past but playing as one - was a refreshing and inspiring sight, giving optimism for the future after years of hand-wringing and despair.

There is now even speculation Southgate will get a knighthood for his services to the England team.

Whether that happens or not, it is has been some achievement for a "supermarket manager", and recognition of a fine leader. He deserves nothing but respect.