And so Gareth Southgate resigns as England manager.
Three days after defeat to Spain in the finals of the European Championship, he walks away, having failed to break England’s 58 year trophy drought.
But it all could have been so different.
With fifteen minutes to go In Berlin, England brought the scores level against Spain. Here was the moment.
Momentum was with them. This finally was the opportunity to break the stop situation.
But, what happened? England became passive again.
They surrendered the initiative to Spain.
The moment was gone.
And the match was lost.
Was it fear of failure that held sway. Or fear of success?
The more likely imposter was fear of failure.
England had hauled themselves back into the match.
But didn’t want to take any risks to compromise this position of safety.
Didn’t want to compromise the hard fought gain of drawing level.
They lapsed back into defensive thinking.
But in doing so failed to read the match dynamics.
Failed to read that the atmospheric was now in their favour.
In choosing to play safe and wait for another moment the game dynamics became neutralised and Spain took advantage.
England’s fear of consequences was greater than the desire to challenge and test themselves.
Remember that you don’t know how good you are until you challenge yourself.
Test yourself. Create opportunities to liberate your talent.
Yes you might fail.
But isn’t the bigger failure the living with the regret of what might have been?
Of course these game changing moments may call for Courage. Boldness. Trust.
But it’s only when you fully commit that you discover these qualities are within you at all times.
They are simply waiting for opportunities.
In all sports there is a balance between Defensive and Attacking Thinking.
It’s rare that it can be all Attacking Thinking.
Defensive Thinking creates a foundation for Attacking Thinking to rest upon.
But you can’t let Defensive Thinking overlay your ability to sense and feel Attacking moments and Opportunities.
Defensive Thinking will keep you in the game. But Attacking thinking wins the game.
Don’t be like Gareth Southgate’s England. And have to live with the regret of what have been.
For as Queen Victoria said, we will not have failure. Only success. And new learning.