Gareth Southgate has written a book on leadership, which is due to be released in October.
Dear England: Lessons on Leadership will be the first book by the former manager of the England men’s football team since he resigned last July.
“After stepping down as England manager following eight very special years, I’ve been reflecting on what I have lived through and what comes next,” said Southgate.
“Coaching top players and playing against some of the best teams in the world pushed me to operate at the highest level in football. Rather than write a memoir of those times I decided to share my experiences in a different way, through the lens of leadership which I hope will provide lessons for anyone who wants to discover their own authentic leadership style.”
Despite persistent criticism of Southgate’s management, during his tenure he led the England team to the most sustained period of success in its history. In 2018, the team reached the World Cup semi finals, and in 2020 and 2024 they reached the Euros finals.
In Dear England, Southgate will reflect on moments that shaped his leadership style, “principles that defined his decisions, and the resilience that enabled him to perform under the most intense public scrutiny”, according to the book’s publisher Century, an imprint of Penguin Random House. The book “transcends football”, with leadership lessons “that can apply to any individual, team or organisation”.
Southgate, who has recently become a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School, has previously written two books. In 2003, Woody & Nord: A Football Friendship was published, which he co-wrote with his close friend Andy Woodman. In 2020, he published Anything is Possible, a children’s book.
The title for the new book, Dear England, is a reference to an open letter Southgate wrote to England fans during the pandemic. It is also the title of a West End play about Southgate, which is in the process of being adapted into a BBC screenplay starring Joseph Fiennes, who also plays Southgate in the stage version.
Ben Brusey, publishing director at Century, said: “Just as Gareth inspired the nation with his England leadership, every page of his book will inspire readers with his characteristic sense of purpose, honesty, resilience and integrity. This will be a landmark leadership book, which I know will be enjoyed by readers for years to come.”
• Dear England by Gareth Southgate will be published by Century on 23 October (£25). To support the Guardian and the Observer buy a copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
