“I don’t take credit for Gareth being as successful as what he is,” says John Peacock. “He’s done that on his own. He’s been fantastic.”
The Manchester United academy consultant took England boss Gareth Southgate on both his A and pro coaching licences and is delighted with the job his former charge is doing at the World Cup in Russia.
“I think the biggest thing we’ve had in England over the years is that our expectations have been too high too often but the environment created by Gareth and his staff, I think it’s a really positive environment.
England's Raheem Sterling laughs after being caught in a game of tag. Photo: AP
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“You can see that by the players and their down time, they’ve enjoyed it, and obviously you can see by the quality of the play on the pitch.”
That play has seen them outperform people’s expectations.
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“Realistically, we would have tried to reach the quarter-finals but then you’re into that situation of the unknown a little bit, the fine margins everybody keeps telling us about and it’s tough to get to where they’ve got. Now you’re one game away from potentially a World Cup final.”
