Southgate's rejection did not shock Aldridge, but he was silent for a while before nodding in understanding.
This is not some idiosyncratic behavior.
Players have strong self-esteem, not to mention Southgate, who is full of honors. When Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League championship, David Batty, the tough guy in the team, refused to receive the championship medal because he missed most of the league season. Southgate
The situation is the same as Batty.
It's just that I don't want the past season to remain in my memory as a "mixed champion".
Aldridge just wanted to avoid Southgate's embarrassment at the award ceremony. After all, except for the third goalkeeper, basically all other players in the first team have championship medals. Southgate doesn't want it. The captain will inevitably
You may feel lonely.
It was getting late, and the two of them had almost completed a circle around the park. Southgate suddenly stopped, stared at Aldridge calmly, and whispered: "Boss, I am planning to retire at the end of this season."
He told Aldrich this decision in a calm way, and Aldrich frowned and replied: "I think you should think about it again, Gareth, there has never been any deception or concealment between us, now
Let’s talk openly and honestly. Yes, your competitive level dropped very obviously after the serious injury. It must be you.
I thought you could no longer play for the team, so I decided to hang up my boots, but I think that a player like you, who is highly respected in the locker room, can help the team in other ways, even if it is just to impart a few words of experience.
Some of the young players in the team are great help, and I hope you will stay for another season."
Southgate shook his head and still said in a light voice: "Boss, if it had happened last season, I would have chosen to stay. However, this season, we have encountered the challenge of a strong enemy like Chelsea in the league.
, but the team still successfully defended the title without me. Boss, at this point, I think we have different opinions. Young players like Cristiano, Thiago, Xavi, etc.
Players, they are not ordinary players, they have super psychological quality, they grow much faster than ordinary players, and they have withstood the test of ups and downs in the past two years, they do not need an old captain who relies on his elders and sells them out.
There are nagging instructions in the ears, they need to show themselves, they need to stand alone, truly, completely, become the backbone of the mad lion! So, I think it is time to leave."
Aldridge looked into Southgate's calm and serious eyes. In fact, Southgate was right.
Before they get honors with their own hands, most young players will put their tail between their legs and listen to the teachings of their seniors. But in the past two seasons, last season they were the double champions and this season they have defended the league title, which has boosted their self-confidence.
To further improve, they are said to be young because of their age, but in terms of mentality, they must have become a complete "character".
Aldrich actually understands these principles.
The reason why he wants to keep Southgate may be just a kind of attachment between master and disciple.
Aldridge brought Southgate from Crystal Palace to the Lions Den 11 years ago.
That was the first player he signed.
After 11 years of ups and downs, the mentor-disciple relationship on the green field has finally come to an end.
How could he let go freely?
Moreover, Southgate did not end with a glorious moment, but more like quietly retreating, which made Aldridge feel very uncomfortable.
The first captain under him has dedicated his youth, passion and loyalty to the team. How could he not try his best to give Southgate a more honorable closing performance?
But reality is so ruthless.
Aldridge is not one to fiddle with his mother-in-law. Now that Southgate has made up his mind, there is nothing he can do to hold him back, either emotionally or rationally.
He walked up to Southgate and gave him a gentle hug. After letting him go, he smiled and said, "Okay, then I will prepare a retirement match for you."
Southgate smiled and shook his head: "It doesn't have to be like this. I'm just an ordinary player, and I don't seem worthy of having a retirement game."
Aldridge shook his head and said: "No, this is selfishness on your part. You are leaving. You have to say goodbye to everyone formally after all, and the fans don't agree. Tell me, do you have any wishes?"
Southgate's eyes wandered, revealing a look of reminiscence, and murmured: "The memories of the past 11 years are beginning to be a little blurry, but I always want to see my former friends again."
"Okay, then at your retirement game, invite back all the people from the past, as well as the England national team, and I will show up. Don't worry, it will be very lively then."
As he walked out of the park, Aldridge asked him again: "Have you ever thought about what you will do after retirement? If you still want to develop in the football circle and be a coach, then stay at Millwall, or work in the team's athletic affairs department.
Supervisor? There are many retired famous players who like to write columns or be guest commentators. How about you?"
Southgate chuckled and said: "I have no idea yet, but I think I will definitely not be unemployed. Just like you said, boss, at the very least, I can also be a guest commentator."
"Okay, no matter what you want to do, I will support you. When you make a decision, just tell me and don't talk about it. I can help you with just one sentence."
Southgate smiled and nodded.
The two returned to the door of Aldridge's house, and Aldridge watched Southgate drive away.
In fact, what Southgate will do after retirement does not need to consider the issue of income at all. Although the past 11 years have not been the prime time for modern professional football players to earn money, through 11 years of wealth accumulation, his agent Andrew helps with financial management, plus Sos
Some small investments made by Sgate and his teammates have yielded a very impressive return over the years, and they can be used as long-term investments. Therefore, what he will do after retirement is to choose and face it with a relaxed mind, or it may be a
A simple passion for a new career.
May 15th, the final game of the Premier League.
In this year's Premier League final, there is no suspense for the top four teams.
Champions, Millwall.
Runner-up, Chelsea.
Champions League qualification, Manchester United and Arsenal.
However, there is still suspense about the relegation situation at the bottom of the table.
The unlucky West Brom will play Millwall at home in the last round. They must win to ensure promotion. If they lose or draw, there is a high probability that they will be relegated.
Also participating in the relegation battle are Crystal Palace and Norwich City.
At the pre-match press conference, Aldridge brought Southgate to attend, and Southgate became the protagonist. He announced to the outside world that he would hang up his boots and retire after the season!
The moment the press conference ended, all reporters present in Fleet Street stood up and applauded to greet Southgate.
He was the captain of the England team that won the World Cup for the second time!
I believe that on the day when Beckham retires, he will also receive high-level praise and tribute, because it was Beckham who won the European Cup championship trophy as captain.
On the day of the final game, almost all major media headlines in Fleet Street were related to Southgate.
Greatness, legend, merit, and other words of praise are used to explain Southgate's contribution to Millwall and the England national team.
Here’s an inventory of Southgate’s legendary trajectory during his 11 years at Millwall.
Someone has sorted out Southgate’s highlight representative games.
Some have also summarized Southgate's legendary journey from sinner to heroic captain in the England national team, and even finally retired from the national team after being seriously injured in the European Cup, which led to his choice to retire when he was less than 35 years old. He was praised as a bloody player.
Typical English player's passion and spirit.
The market for relegation teams is definitely relatively narrow, so when the news of Southgate's retirement dominates the headlines, no one cares about the fate of the relegation teams.
The "Times" analysis is correct: given Southgate's current state, it is difficult for Sir Hall to list him as a starting player in the Champions League final. Of course, if the Champions League final goes smoothly, Millwall can
To ensure the championship, Southgate will replace
As a substitute, he appeared in the Champions League final as his farewell to the green field. However, the Champions League final is unpredictable. Only the final game of the league has nothing to do with the overall situation. In this game, no accident, it will be Southgate.
The last start for Millwall in an official match!
When Millwall came to West Brom's Hawthorn Stadium, not only the fans of the home team, but also the players were very depressed.
They want to avoid relegation!
However, there are many visiting team fans in the stands. No matter how high the price of ticket scalpers is, there are still many Wild Lions fans who will come to watch the game despite being ripped off. There are even many Wild Lions fans who are sitting next to fans of the home team.
In the middle, they couldn't be timid, and they still held up slogans in the stands to bless Southgate.
At the Hawthorn Stadium, some of the Lions fans in the stands held up Southgate's jersey number, while others held up banners praising him and blessing him.
Fan organizations have been singing songs to express their love and blessings for Southgate since before the kick-off.
The West Brom coach is an old friend of Aldridge. When he first stepped onto the pitch and became the coach 11 years ago, in the League One competition at that time, the current West Brom coach was coaching Middlesbrough, led by Aldridge.
Millwall was the biggest rival to qualify for the Premier League. Although no one thought so at the time, later, Millwall defeated Middlesbrough and won the English League Championship and directly entered the Premier League.
This old friend is Bryan Robson.
Robson took over West Brom in November last year, and his results were relatively dismal. He only won his first Premier League victory two months after taking office. West Brom has been struggling in the whirlpool of relegation. Now in the final game, West Brom is still ranked
In the relegation zone.
Bryan Robson shook hands with Aldridge enthusiastically before the game started, and took the initiative to exchange a few words with Southgate, who was wearing the captain's armband today, in the tunnel.
But when the game was about to start, Robson's expression changed, trying his best to hide the bitterness in his heart. r1152
