When England take to the pitch against Spain in the Euro 2024 final, Gareth Southgate will have to rely on his all many years of experience if the Three Lions are to prevail.
And when it comes to a certain Spanish defender, there is one match in particular that might serve Southgate well indeed.
The Three Lions boss must do what has never been done before and guide England to European victory on foreign soil as they contest the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday 14 July, live on talkSPORT.
Along with over a decade’s worth of management experience, Southgate will also have his 18-year playing career to help him in the crucial game.
The former defender spent time playing for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough during his career.
And during his time at Boro, he came close to another kind of European glory as a player when his side made it to the final of the 2005/06 UEFA Cup, now known as the Europa League.
The final was contest against Sevilla in Eindhoven in 2006 and it was Southgate who captained his side out on the big occasion.
Boro had dispatched teams including Stuttgart, Roma and Basel to make it to the final – but ultimately, it was not to be for them as they slumped to a 4-0 loss to Sevilla.
Some of Southgate’s teammates that day had included the likes of England staff member Jimmy Floyd Haselbaink, Ray Parlour and George Boateng.
But some of his opposition were familiar names too.
Sevilla’s starting XI contained none other than Jesus Navas, a player who was but 20-years-old at the time.
Almost two decades later, Navas will meet Southgate again in a different setting.
Now a 38-year-old, the defender forms part of the Spain Euro 2024 squad that England will have to overcome in the final if they are to lift the trophy.
Even as a youngster, Navas made an impact on that match, being instrumental in both the second and the fourth goal for his side.
Navas earned his 56th cap for Spain in their Euro 2024 semi-final victory against France and he impressed audiences as he successfully prevented Kylian Mbappe from getting the better of him.
Centre-back Southgate was unable to stop Navas and his side from getting the better of him back in 2006 – but that will only make him all the more determined to do so in Berlin.
And Navas is not the only familiar name that Southgate faced on that May evening over in Eindhoven.
In fact, the man of the match for the fixture was a figure who could be about to become very well-known in the Premier League indeed: Enzo Maresca.
The former Leicester City manager signed a five-year-deal with Chelsea back in June – but like Southgate, he enjoyed a long career as a midfielder.
It was with Sevilla that he made his most appearances and during that fateful UEFA Cup final against Southgate, Maresca actually scored a brace to help his side to victory.
It was one of five trophies that Maresca would win with Sevilla.
He retired from playing in 2017 after a brief spell with Hellas Verona, and now the former Manchester City Elite Development Scheme coach will be hoping to put his experience to good use in London next season.
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday as England bid to make history against Spain. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the build-up.
News Summary:
- England manager Gareth Southgate played against current Spain star and new Chelsea boss got man of the match
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