England manager Gareth Southgate admits he never wanted or expected to be on the World Cup journey to Russia – but he is now relishing the anticipation and excitement of Monday’s opener against Tunisia.
Southgate was handed the England job full-time in November 2016 when Sam Allardyce left after just one game when he was caught in a newspaper sting.
Allardyce had only taken over 67 days earlier, after Roy Hodgson’s resignation following the last-16 exit to Iceland in Euro 2016.
He guided England to Russia in an undefeated qualifying campaign and early qualms about how he got the job have been replaced by the excitement of guiding his country in Volgograd on Monday.
“It is a journey I didn’t expect or want to be on.” Southgate said.