Gareth Southgate reveals the qualities that make Bukayo Saka special – as ex-England boss admits ‘I smile as soon as I see his name’

Former England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed why he has so much admiration for Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka.

Saka, 23, became a national team regular during the final years of Southgate’s England reign after bursting onto the scene at Euro 2020.

England reached the final of that tournament but were beaten on penalties by Italy at Wembley, with Saka missing the decisive spot-kick.

Saka, who was only 19 at the time, was subjected to abhorrent online racist abuse in the aftermath of that shootout defeat, but bounced back to become a key player for Arsenal and England. He then stepped up again to take and score a penalty last summer in England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland. 

Southgate believes that highlighted the courage that Saka possesses, which has made him become such an important member of the England squad.

Speaking at the BBC’s annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture, Southgate said of Saka: ‘I smile as soon as I see his name, who after his experience in Euro 2020, displayed quite remarkable resilience, courage, and belief in stepping up to successfully score his penalty against Switzerland last summer.’

But he stepped up again to score in England’s Euro 2024 shootout win over Switzerland

Gareth Southgate believes Saka’s resilience and courage makes him stand out from the crowd

Southgate also reserved praised for England captain Harry Kane and his fellow striker Ollie Watkins for overcoming difficult moments early on in their respective careers.

Kane struggled during several loan spells before becoming Tottenham and England’s record goalscorer, while Watkins started out in non-league football prior to enjoying a remarkable rise to the international stage.

Southgate is convinced the setbacks that Saka, Kane and Watkins experienced helped shape them, and feels their stories should inspire the next generation of young men.

‘If I’ve learned anything from my life in football, it’s that success is about much more than the final score,’ Southgate explained. ‘It isn’t a straight line. And it’s not a single moment.

‘Take Harry Kane who was released by – I wonder if he’s still got the letter – had several unconvincing loan spells, but has gone on to be England’s record goalscorer.

‘Everyone will remember Ollie Watkins scoring the winning goal in the semi-final of our Euros against Holland but not so many will remember that he started his career playing non-league football. An overnight success after 20 years.

‘None of them had a perfect, uninterrupted journey to success. Because true success is how you respond in the hardest moments. It’s about having the belief and resilience to persevere. And that’s the message we need to offer young men today.’