Gareth Southgate has another chance to make history on Sunday. (Image: Getty)
Gareth Southgate has foregone sleep in an attempt to guide England to their first-ever European Championship victory.
England are preparing for their maiden major final appearance on foreign soil, having defeated the Netherlands to set up a tie with Spain in Berlin.
But despite their run to the latter stages of the tournament, it hasn’t all been sunshine and roses for Southgate’s side.
The much-maligned England manager has had to shoulder some heavy criticism, with pundits and fans alike bemoaning the team’s early-tournament performances.
While still not perfect, the one-time world champions have turned things around, with all eyes now on this weekend’s meeting with the in-form Spaniards.
And such has been Southgate’s commitment to prepping England for the final, it’s reported by The Independent the 53-year-old only had three hours of sleep following Wednesday’s dramatic win against the Netherlands.
Ollie Watkins’ 90th-minute strike secured safe passage into the final for England, with Southgate said to have had a quick nap before starting his analysis on Sunday’s opponents.
Southgate more than anyone doesn’t need reminding about what’s at stake for England.
The former Middlesbrough man missed from 12 yards as a player during the Euro 1996 semi-final and was in charge when England lost the Euro 2020 final - again via a penalty shootout.
Ollie Watkins scored the winner for England against Spain. (Image: Getty)
Lifting a major trophy with his nation has become somewhat of an obsession for Southgate, who has admitted he wants to win so much it ‘hurts’.
Southgate said: "As a player and an athlete, you view those failures in a different sort of way. As a coach, manager, leader, you recognise what you're doing well.
"Had we gone out in the first knockout round here, I know I've managed this period better than I did in Russia (at the 2018 World Cup), but that wouldn't be how it was viewed and it would sound like nonsense to the man in the street."
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He added: "I completely understand that, but I know the job now and I'm really clear on being my own biggest critic, reviewing everything clearly.
"I want to win so much on Sunday it hurts, don't get me wrong, but I can handle whatever comes and I know it's not going to change what the dog thinks when I walk back through the door."
From what looked like being one of England’s worst major tournament showings, the Three Lions now have the chance to make history in Germany on Sunday evening.
