John Helm: Body language gave Gareth Southgate away
BODY language and hindsight are wonderful things that often go together.
I might have known Gareth Southgate was going to get the sack at Middlesbrough if only I’d followed my gut instinct.
During Boro’s recent loss to Watford, Gareth, one of the good guys in the game, barely left his seat in the dugout, as though he’d run out of things to say to players being booed for the third home game running.
Jack Charlton once told me the life span of a manager at the same club was four years.
After that either he or the players has to go.
At his post-match press conference Gareth tried to put a brave face on it but in his heart of hearts knew his time was up.
IT was like a scene from All the President’s Men or Live and Let Die.
The 195 kilometre journey between Abuja and Kaduna took just two-and-a-half hours because our two mini-vans, flanked front and rear by police escorts, red lights flashing, sirens blaring, raced through villages that became a blur.
Babes in arms, women with baskets on their heads, chickens and goats were sent scattering for cover, often ending up in a street vendor’s fruit stall or sprawled amid the local potter’s latest work of art.
Armed guards, with rifles cocked, glowered menacingly at anyone daring a glance, but they should have known all this palaver is because the World Cup for Under 17 footballers is in town.
Eight cities in Nigeria actually, not that anyone in England seems to know about it.
As usual the United Kingdom is oblivious because none of our teams made it to the finals, the likes of Algeria, Gambia and Switzerland have, but I doubt you’ll see any footage in our Premier League obsessed country.
Share
