My two pence on Southgate as someone who goes home and away with England:
He got the job with virtually no worthwhile experience (a Boro relegation and the Under 21's isn't great credentials is it), so it wasn't entirely an inspiring choice - but after Hodgson he did a great job in getting people enjoying the national team again.
From 2016-19 we had a more limited squad compared to now, but we had more of a free rein, during the WC in particular the shackles were off and we went for it largely in most games, and played with an attacking mindset.
What I find baffling is with a largely better pool of players in virtually every area of the pitch, from 2020 onwards (post lockdown) he appears to have gone in on himself and decided to play this turgid 'don't lose' style of football. Both in terms of tempo/intent and formation.
He has turned into a Sven/Capello mark 2, defensive minded football with a talented squad - although I'd argue they were much worse managers. He is undoubtedly better than those who have gone before him, since probably Venables, but it doesn't mean we cannot critique his failings/shortcomings, because everyone before him was terrible.
In both 2018 and 2021, although we did brilliantly to get where we did - and that cannot be taken away from him and should be applauded obviously - I would back virtually any manager (past or hypothetical) to have done what he did, imo it was the bare minimum with the draws we got.
What he has shown, is largely in any games against upper level oppo (bar Germany 21) that we fold, in some cases from winning positions. Belgium twice, Croatia, Italy, Holland.
In 2018 I can forgive losing to Croatia, we had a more limited squad and it was alien territory. But in that 2021 final to be in literally the same position as 3 years before, at Wembley, with a better squad, and to repeat the same tactical naivety, to me shows me he isn't a great manager, and that defeat was firmly on him.
In both games we came out after HT, having been largely positive all half and suddenly shut up shop and played ultra defensive (something I can only put down to his HT team talk/game plan), and even when it was obvious we were absorbing tons of pressure, he only then changes it once both teams score - again a great manager recognises the need to change things and stem the pressure before this happens imo.
He has played off these games as glorified friendlies, but I can tell you now in Porto in 2019 at the finals it didn't feel meaningless, likewise they contribute to qualifying ranking points - and even if you strip that all back he has then called last night a 2nd string virtually - even if so, we shouldn't be losing 4-0 at home to Hungary - this is a manifestation of 2 years of negative football, which imo has also cost us silverware.
Also I have read people saying the players are knackered, were Hungary not too? It's a nonsense argument, in normal times we'd be starting our WC group now, and that excuse wouldn't wash.
He is a fantastic man manager, the players clearly do play for him and like him, and he is a very good statesman, but imo his time has come at the end of this tournament. I would even be tempted to change now, to give us a chance in Qatar, but that just won't happen.