England's national team manager, Gareth Southgate, has revealed that he successfully convinced Kyle Walker not to retire from international duty on two separate occasions. This revelation comes after Walker recently scored his first-ever goal for England during their Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine, marking his 77th appearance for the national team.
During the close season, there was uncertainty surrounding Walker's future, both at club and international levels. Manchester City's right-back found himself the subject of interest from Bayern Munich, which raised questions about his tenure with the English national team. However, an intervention by City's manager, Pep Guardiola, played a crucial role in retaining Walker at the treble-winning club.
Gareth Southgate shed light on the fact that he had to persuade Walker to continue his international career after England's defeat in the Euro 2020 final against Italy and following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Walker's renewed commitment to the national team has seen him eager to accumulate as many caps as possible. His presence in the England squad is highly valued, and he is considered one of the world-class players in his position.
Southgate praised Walker for his continuous improvement, even in the latter stages of his career, and acknowledged his vital role as a mature leader within the team. The manager highlighted Walker's contributions in training, his on-field organization, and his positive influence on the squad, which have all been significant factors in his development as a leader.
Looking ahead, England faces an upcoming friendly against Scotland in Glasgow, a match that Southgate views as a valuable test as they prepare for Euro 2024. Both teams are on course to secure their places in the tournament, with England currently leading their group. Southgate anticipates a challenging fixture against a confident and in-form Scotland side, which will provide important lessons and insights as England continues its journey towards the European Championships.
In conclusion, Kyle Walker's decision to remain an integral part of the England national team has been a result of the convincing efforts made by Gareth Southgate, highlighting the player's importance and the positive impact he brings to the squad. This commitment from Walker is expected to further bolster England's prospects as they pursue success in international competitions.
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