Southgate: “Young boys need standards, not games, gambling and porn – success comes to difficulties”

For toxic influencer, which are paternal figures for the younger generation, the Garrett Suthegiteemphasizing the need to create correct standards through sport.

The former England coach was at an annual BBC conference between academics, artists and businessmen. Through this expressed concern about the mental health of young people And he stressed that a trophy is not the only way to success.

“One issue is constantly returning to my attention and is the parents who enhance it. Young men suffer. They feel isolated. They fight with their manhood and their general position in society. Spend more time online, searching for guidelines and so fall into unhealthy alternatives as they are gaming, gambling and pornography“, He said.

“This gap is covered by a new type of standard, which does not have the best intentions. These unconscious, manipulative and toxic influencerwhose unique motivation is their personal benefit. They are willing to deceive young people, to make them believe that success is measured by money or power, that it is power to never show emotions and that the whole world, including women, are against them. They are as far as they could from the standards that young people need nowadays”

Gareth Southgate also remembered the critical penalty shoot -out in 1996in the Euro semifinal, when England was defeated by Germany. “It was undoubtedly a turning point in my life that made me a stronger, better man. Forced me to dig deep and discover a deeper faith and endurance that I didn’t know I have”

He also referred to Harry Caine and Jordan Henderson as the players who brought back pride in national England and described them as models that should exist.

“Over the years, we have created an environment in which players are encouraged to take initiatives that young players are welcome and are not treated as an outsider, whose mistakes are not treated with shame, but as part of the evolution. As is the case in society”

“We have to show young men that character is more important than status.”

Gareth Southgate Demands Leaders Step Up To Become Positive Role Models for ‘Isolated’ Young Men. pic.twitter.com/fmlnqjppqi

– LBC (@LBC) March 19, 2025

In his lengthy speech he also commented: ‘Many young men feel isolated. They do not feel comfortable opening up to their friends or family. They do not have a mentor – a trainer, a coach, a manager – who can help them grow. When they are pressured, they have to try to find the solution on their own. End up retiring, find it difficult to speak or express what they feel”

As for success and failure, Southgate made it clear: ‘If I have learned something from football, is that success is much more than the final score. It’s not a straight line, a special moment. Not everyone will pick up trophies, not all the top on the pitch will be. But everyone can live a life that can be continuously improved. that they will be able, looking back, to say: “I gave my best, I was authentic and made the difference. This is the real success“