Dear England: Lessons in Leadership

A major new book on leadership by former England manager Gareth Southgate

‘Many of us find ourselves called upon to be leaders at some point in our lives. Whatever meaning leadership has for you, I hope the stories I tell in these pages may resonate with your own experiences, and may even offer you some guidance.’

As England manager, in one of the highest profile roles in the country, Gareth Southgate forged a unique management style, combining calm empathy with mental resilience, and courageous integrity with strong accountability. His leadership at England propelled the men’s national team to its most sustained success in fifty years, reaching the 2018 Fifa World Cup semi-final, the 2022 quarter-final, and the Uefa Euro 2020 and 2024 finals. In the process, Southgate revitalised and reshaped the national team’s footballing identity.

In Dear England: Lessons in Leadership, Southgate reveals the defining moments that forged his leadership style, the principles that informed his biggest decisions, and the inner steel he developed that enabled him to perform under the most intense public scrutiny.

From his early days as a Premier League captain, to his lowest moment missing a penalty during Euro 96, from guiding England through four major tournaments, to becoming a cultural figure whose open letter during the Covid-19 pandemic inspired a hit West End play, Southgate’s story is one of overcoming setbacks, building quiet resolve and enacting long-lasting change.

Written with warmth, honesty and wisdom, Southgate’s inspiring book transcends football to offer modern-day leadership lessons for any individual, team or organisation.