England boss Gareth Southgate is not as he appears in the media, says celebrity barber Sheldon Edwards. Southgate is on the brink of footballing glory, having guided the Three Lions to consecutive European Championships finals. His team will face a formidable Spanish side in the Euro 2024 final this Sunday (July 14).
Despite facing a barrage of criticism throughout the tournament, the 53-year-old has remained composed and upbeat during his media appearances. According to Sheldon Edwards, better known as HD Cutz, Southgate is quite the joker when away from the public eye.
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Edwards, who has styled stars such as Jude Bellingham, Karim Benzema, and Paul Pogba, has spent time with the England squad during the summer competition. Speaking on Reach's new Euro Thrash podcast – available on YouTube, Apple and Spotify – he revealed a side of Southgate that the media and public rarely see, reports the Mirror.
"Gareth probably comes across to the media as a bit stiff or something. But being around the camp and Gareth, you realise he's someone who enjoys a good banter," Edwards told hosts Wes Brown and Nubaid Haroon.
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"You know, he'd probably be cutting the guys and he'd roll up and he'd be like 'can I have my haircut, when am I having my haircut, take that bit off', that kind of banter, and that's the kind of relationship he's got with them. But unfortunately the media doesn't see that side."
Praising Southgate as a "really nice guy", Edwards disclosed that many players stood by him during periods of criticism. "The cameras get kept in the dark side when they are talking about Gareth Southgate," he commented.
"That's why a lot of guys will back him. When people weren't happy with him and wanted him to go, many of the guys were sticking with him, because what they are witnessing within the camp is not what the media sees on the outside. He's a really nice guy, he's a really nice guy."
Edwards is currently setting up the HD Cutz Academy and will undoubtedly be hoping to join the celebrations on Sunday night should England triumph over Spain and clinch their first European Championship.