England hero Sir Geoff Hurst pens emotional letter to Gareth Southgate hailing Three Lions boss for ‘uniting the nation’
Southgate lead England to their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years this summer
SIR GEOFF HURST has written an open letter to Gareth Southgate thanking him for making "England fall in love with football again".
The '66 World Cup winner credited the Three Lions boss for "uniting the nation" after taking England to a first World Cup semi-final in 28 years.
Hurst, 76, compared Southgate with 1966 manager Sir Alf Ramsey due to his ability to create a team camaraderie.
He wrote in the : "The way England played and the way in which you and your players conducted yourselves lifted the mood of the nation. You made England fall in love with football again and for that we’re all very grateful.
"A lot of people have asked me whether this tournament reminded me of 1966. I have to say, yes — a lot of this England team remind me of us back in ’66, and you remind me very much of Sir Alf Ramsey. He was a master at building the team and getting the attitude of the players right — two things that were important in our victory.
"Alf built positive qualities in us in ’66 and made sure we were united as a team, and now you have done the same and came so close to emulating our victory. I’m sure it will lead to a better, more successful future for the national side."
Hurst praised Southgate for "sticking to your guns" with the system and the players he wanted to use, having left Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere out the squad.
And the decision to make Harry Kane captain pleased Hurst, who compared the Tottenham man to Bobby Moore.
Despite the success in Russia, Hurst suggests England and Southgate must capitalise on the qualities and mood around the players.
He added: "We have a fantastic opportunity now. The country is in love with international football. Let’s not waste this moment."