A man with a plan or just a lucky duck

Redemption is tough to earn. Often, it is said that time heals all wounds, but there are people who will testify if needed - not always and not all wounds. Gareth Southgate is one of them. He's been waiting for redemption for 28 years. Waiting for that final forgiveness that would set him free from the shackles of guilt. On the other side of the spectrum, there's England - the cradle of football. And there are English fans - at the same time, the most fanatic but also the most cruel. Their wounds are deep and caused by the man who has been unsuccessfully trying to redeem himself for his 1996 sin.

Watkins: I swear on my kids' life, I told Cole earlier - we're coming on and you'll set me up to score!

That year's EURO was the closest they got to the "It's coming home" situation ever since 1966 and their first and only major trophy. It's June 26th, 1996, and England faces Germany in the EURO semi-final. After 1-1, penalties will decide. The first five shooters for both teams are impeccable. The sixth German scores. Southgate's up and he must find the net. But the keeper saves it and England is out.

The English fans will never forget it, and Southgate will get a song whose lyrics we better not mention. Twenty years later, the defendant will replace the defence table with the head coach's bench and try to make peace with his compatriots. In eight years as the national team manager, he'll become one of the best England bosses ever - more successful than some more renowned and respected names. But semi-finals and finals are not trophies, and Southgate's reputation can't be erased and changed so easily.

That's why all of his decisions have been taken with a grain of salt. The starting lineup was never satisfactory, and his substitutions were never adequate. "He was just lucky", most people will tell you. "The luck follows him and tries to repay him for the 1996." But is it all just about the luck?

Last night against the Netherlands, England boss moved the captain and arguably the best played in the game - Harry Kane and Phil Foden - to the bench and subbed in Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins, who will eventually seal the victory. In the round of 16 against Slovakia, he left Jude Bellingham on the pitch despite his poor performance and once more made the right choice. When everyone wanted Bukayo Saka out of the starting 11, he remained persistent in his decision, only to be rewarded against Switzerland when Arsenal starboy equalized.

These things happen too often to be coincidences. Perhaps we should, at least this time, put Southgate's tragic national team past aside, forget about stories of luck (if he were that lucky, he would've scored in that infamous penalty shoot-out, right?), and just give credit to the man.

Sometimes, some things simply don't go together. Perhaps the Three Lions manager and the football fans in his homeland are one of them. Perhaps even lifting the European trophy on Sunday won't convince Southgate's compatriots to finally forgive him and appreciate him as he deserves. But the football world outside England should. Even if he loses the final. For too long has he been judged by one penalty, to be judged by one final now. It's time to let him be.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - 1/2 FINALS

Semifinals

Tuesday

Spain - France 2-1 (2-1)

/Yamal 21, Olmo 25 - Kolo Muani 9/

Wednesday

Netherlands - England 1-2 (1-1)

/Simons 7 - Kane 18 pen, Watkins 90+1/

Sunday

Final

22.00: (2.50) Spain (2.95) England (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***