Gareth Southgate made ‘extraordinary’ contribution to football – he’s moulded an incredible team, culture sec says
THE new Government will be "far more" like Gareth Southgate and "far less" like Michael Gove, the Culture Secretary has declared.
Lisa Nandy praised the England manager's "extraordinary contribution" to football and for bringing together a diverse team that mirrors modern Britain.
Her comments came as England's agonising Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain sparked speculation over whether England's head coach will remain in his role.
Ms Nandy - who attended the game in her new capacity - told Sky News it's not "for her to say" whether Southgate should consider his position.
But she showered him with praise for his leadership and positive impact on and off the pitch.
The Culture Secretary said: "What I would just say is the contribution that Gareth Southgate has already made to football is enormous. On the pitch, off the pitch.
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"But also to put together that incredible team of young footballers drawn from every community across the country who look and sound and feel like modern Britain.
"When kids were turning on their TV sets last night across England, every single one of them will have been able to see themselves reflected in that team.
"And in doing so he's told an inclusive story about the country that we can be."
Making clear Sir Keir Starmer's Government wants to follow Southgate's example of inclusivity, she said: "At times with the politics that we've had, it's felt very difficult for people to feel part of our national story and it's firmly my intention that this Government will be different, will be far more Gareth Southgate and far less Michael Gove.
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"The era of division needs to end and I think this team and Gareth Southgate in particular has shown the leadership that we need in some really difficult times for this country.
"So we owe him an enormous debt whatever he decides to do in the future."
Ms Nandy also spoke about the need for "far less heat and more light" in politics as she was asked about Donald Trump's attempted assassination this weekend.
In particular, the Culture Secretary was pressed about the comments made by now-Foreign Secretary David Lammy about the former US President.
She told Times Radio: "I've always been a proponent that politics needs far less heat and far more light. And I think in Britain, as in the United States, over the last decade and a half, we've been through a very dark divisive time.
"We've seen inflammatory rhetoric, becoming at times the norm in the Houses of Parliament, certainly at the height of Brexit.
"We saw accusations flying around accusations that we were traitors, for example, flying from all sides, and it's no surprise that that language is repeated back to us on the streets of Britain.
"I think what's happened with Donald Trump is disgraceful and horrifying. The Prime Minister was very pleased to speak to him yesterday to offer our sympathies and also to express condolences with the victims of that shooting."