March 19 – Former England manager Gareth Southgate has raised concerns that “cold-hearted, manipulative, and toxic influencers” are stepping into the role of traditional father figures, worsening mental health challenges for young men.
Referencing his own experiences, Southgate said the UK needed to do more to encourage young people to make the right choices in life. He said he feared that a lot of young men are seeking for direction online, where influencers might not have their best interests at heart.
“These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers, whose sole drive is for their own gain,” said Southgate delivering the Dimbleby Lecture. “They willingly trick young men into believing that success is measured by money or dominance, that strength means never showing emotion, and that the world, including women, is against them.”
Southgate’s lecture was entitled ‘Entitled The Beautiful Game: Building Belief and Resilience in a Younger Generation’.
“There’s one topic that keeps being brought to my attention. And it’s parents who keep raising it,” said Southgate. “Young men are suffering. They are feeling isolated. They’re grappling with their masculinity and with their broader place in society.”
“They spend more time online searching for direction and are falling into unhealthy alternatives like gaming, gambling and pornography. And this void is filled by a new kind of role model who do not have their best interest at heart.”
Last July, Southgate stepped down as England manager after his side was defeated by Spain in the final of Euro 2024. It was the second consecutive time that England and Southgate had to settle for the runners-up spot following the penalty shoot-out loss to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 on home soil at Wembley Stadium. He referred to Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson as role models, something society is in need of.
Southgate said: “They were role models I wanted others to emulate. And over time, we created a culture where players were encouraged to take ownership where young players were welcomed, not treated as outsiders and where mistakes weren’t ridiculed, but were seen as part of a process. And so it is in society.”
“We need leaders to set the right tone. To be the role models we want for our young men. We have to show young men that character is more important than status. That how you treat others is more important than how much money you make.”
He also reflected on his missed penalty in the Euro 1996 semi-final against Germany, which he considers a turning point in his own life.
“Missing that penalty was undoubtedly a watershed moment that made me stronger, a better man,” said Southgate. “It forced me to dig deep, and revealed an inner belief and resilience I never knew existed.”
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