Gareth Southgate faces tough decisions as the Three Lions continue on in the Euros, but the England manager will seek comfort in his devoted wife.
The manager and former footballer has been married to his wife Alison for over 20 years and the couple have two children together. Ironically, Alison is not a huge fan of the beautiful game, but is perhaps the inspiration behind Gareth's fondness of letting the England players spend time with their families.
After England's shocking Denmark draw, the partners of players like Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford and Bukayo Saka have been invited to England's base camp at Blankenhain in a bid to help the Three Lions refresh and get ready for their final game of the group.
Gareth, who shares two children, Mia, 24, and Flynn, 20 with his wife, often credits his family as his rock, helping him maintain his sanity while shouldering the expectations of the nation. Alison, a former sales assistant, is reportedly not much of a football fan and prefers to keep a low profile, focusing on their family.
The couple planned their wedding day around football (Getty Images)
They had their first date in a Tesco car park in secret (Getty Images)Love at first sight
Gareth and Alison's love story began when he was in his early 20s, playing as a trainee at Crystal Palace. In his 2003 autobiography, the former Middlesbrough manager reminisced about spotting Alison working as a counter assistant in a Croydon shop.
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Feeling shy, Gareth would hang around the store pretending to browse clothes while gathering the nerve to approach her. At that time, Alison was living with a boyfriend, but their relationship was reportedly shaky. Seizing the opportunity, Gareth gave her his number, which she called later that night.
They arranged their first date the following day, meeting secretly in a local Tesco car park to avoid her ex-boyfriend discovering them. When he was transferred to Aston Villa, she laid down the law: either she moves to Birmingham with him or they call it quits.
Fortunately, he agreed and their love story flourished, culminating in a wedding in June 1997 at his parents' local church - meticulously timed between World Cup and European Championship campaigns.
Alison moved cities to be with him as he made it up the ranks (Getty Images)Home sweet home
The couple went on to have two children and now reside in a lavish £3.75 million home in North Yorkshire. Their breathtaking Grade I-listed abode, known as Swinsty Hall, features six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a wine cellar, a cinema room and a separate cottage within the grounds.
His impressive residence, which is so secluded it appears almost secret, is situated next to a reservoir and was previously owned by developer Chris Taylor. Balancing family life with the pressures of football, the father-of-two credits his children for providing a welcome distraction from his demanding career.
In his book, he wrote: "On Saturday evening, our children are not too bothered whether Dad's team have won or lost. Neither does Alison fret too much about football, and this is how I like it."
"Regardless of the result, it is up to me to ensure that no one's evening is ruined because of things that happened on a football field. The agonising waits until Alison and the kids are asleep."
Gareth likes to keep his family life separate from football (No credit)
Gareth and Alison have a wide circle of friends (PA)Not a football fan
The 53 year old doesn't share her husband's fervour for football, and it seems neither do their children. While Alison might be spotted cheering on from the sidelines at Wembley, she's not your typical football fanatic in the stands.
Gareth's father shared with Mail Online: "Actually, I don't think Alison likes football very much. Obviously she has to take an interest because it's Gareth's job, and she is always very supportive."
Alison roots for Gareth during international matches at Wembley when the kids' school schedule allows, steadfastly placing their children's needs above all. When she's not showing her support at games, Alison passionately advocates for animal rights and cherishes time with a close-knit group of mates.
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A vegetarian who delights in yoga sessions and unwinds on trips to Barbados, Alison lives her own life outside the pitch. Yet, she and Gareth savour their moments with England's squad behind the scenes.
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