SIR Gareth Southgate says the horror of missing his penalty against Germany in the semi-finals of Euro '96 still tortures him today.
But the ex-England manager says the belief and resilience which picked him up are vital characteristics for youngsters grappling with social media pressures.
Remembering his fluffed spot-kick nearly 30 years ago, Sir Gareth, 54, said: "I've let myself down, my team-mates down, my country down," he said on last night's Richard Dimbleby lecture.
"That pain still haunts me today and I guess it always will. That single shot could have defined my life, let alone my football career. It didn't.
But how I chose to respond to it did." He says social media brings about bullying, mocking and humiliation.
He said young men need mentors like his youth coach at Crystal Palace, who was not afraid to challenge him. He added: "Not because he wanted me to fail but because he wanted me to succeed." D...
But the ex-England manager says the belief and resilience which picked him up are vital characteristics for youngsters grappling with social media pressures.
Remembering his fluffed spot-kick nearly 30 years ago, Sir Gareth, 54, said: "I've let myself down, my team-mates down, my country down," he said on last night's Richard Dimbleby lecture.
"That pain still haunts me today and I guess it always will. That single shot could have defined my life, let alone my football career. It didn't.
But how I chose to respond to it did." He says social media brings about bullying, mocking and humiliation.
He said young men need mentors like his youth coach at Crystal Palace, who was not afraid to challenge him. He added: "Not because he wanted me to fail but because he wanted me to succeed." D...
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Daily Express (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 20, 2025