Past success has given solid Southgate the right to keep doing things his way

Happy crew: Gareth Southgate with his squad at a photoshoot yesterday before they flew out to Qatar today

- Dan Kilpatrick

GARETH SOUTHGATE is not an England manager typically prone to influence from outside forces. He has rarely appeared swayed by public sentiment or the whims of the media, instead trusting his own judgment and the counsel of a close group of staff.

When seemingly the entire country wanted him to unleash England's attacking talent at Euro 2020, Southgate kept the handbrake on and, whether sticking by Harry Maguire or resisting the clamour to build a team around Jack Grealish, the 52-year-old has been the country's most successful modern manager by doing it his way.

Southgate's refusal to be guided by public opinion was part of what made the selection of James Maddison in his World Cup squad so surprising.

There had long been a feeling that Southgate had reservations about Maddison's character and where he would fit into the England side - both played down by the manager last week - and yet the Leicester playmaker is going to Qatar having not been involved since winning his only cap, in November 2019.