Why Lionesses' Euro's victory will help end England men's trophy quest: Gareth Southgate's sports psychologist reveals key to women's success - and has a brutal message for their critics

Daily Mail​

28-07-2025

England's men's football team could learn lessons from the Lionesses if they are to win their first major trophy since 1966 next year, Sir Gareth Southgate 's favourite sports psychologist told MailOnline today.
Michael Caulfield, a long-time friend and confidante of the former England manager, believes the women's triumph could be a 'turning point' for Thomas Tuchel 's men.
He also believes that the Three Lions' German manager and the FA should also take note of the Lionesses' 'joy' at representing their country.
'If the men's team triumph [next summer], I genuinely believe the Lionesses dramatic win in Basel will prove to be a huge turning point, as they have a won a tournament away from home, and everyone in the men's set up will subconsciously note that too. This win was so important for both teams', Mr Caulfield told MailOnline.
He added: 'I hope everyone at the FA realises that the more you allow people to be themselves, be likeable, be proud of who you are and what you stand for, then people come with you'.
Mr Caulfield also has a strong message for 'cynical' critics of the victorious women.
'We should simply be saying 'thank you' and joining in the celebrations. If you don't like women's football, or seeing women triumph, inspiring countless young girls to take up football... then don't watch it, or comment on it, you won't be missed, but you might be missing out', he said.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman has said this afternoon that the men's football team 'should absolutely take a lesson' from the Lionesses on how to win tournaments.
He added: 'Yes, it can't be as fast and as furious as the men's game, in the same way that the Kenyan female athlete, Faith Kipyegon, couldn't break the four minute mile recently, but that does not stop last night's triumph from being joyous'.
It came as Beth Mead's father Richard had a message for critics, tweeting today: 'To all the snipers out there criticising women's football, guess what my daughter is a double European champion, how many people can say that, well done lionesses'.
Mr Caulfield, who works for Brentford in the Premier League, is one of the country's top sports psychologists with over 30 years experience.
He was first employed by Southgate when he was manager at Middlesbrough in 2006 and they have remained close.
Millions celebrated as the Lionesses won back-to-back European Championships, with a women's World Cup final in between. The men have gone close to winning both those titles in recent years but never made the final step.
Mr Caulfield said: 'What can the Three Lions learn from The Lionesses? Well, Sir Gareth Southgate started it, I hope everyone at the FA realises, that the more you allow people to be themselves, be likeable, be proud of who you are and what you stand for, then people come with you, and for those who simply want to moan, well, you can never win an argument with a cynic, so don't try'.
The team are flying into Britain this afternoon ahead of a reception at Downing Street hosted by Angela Rayner with PM Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland meeting Donald Trump.
Despite the success of the Lionesses, some continue to compare the men's and women's games unfavourably.
Mr Caulfield says he 'cannot understand' it.
'Comparison is the thief of all joy and never has that lovely old phrase been more apt following the joyous and determined triumph by the most admirable and likeable of teams, The Lionesses.
'The whole evening and tournament were joyous, the drama was joyous, Chloe Kelly was joyous, the backstories are joyous, the never say die attitude was joyous, the commentaries were joyous, the reaction is joyous, and they haven't even made it to Buckingham Palace yet.
'For the life of me, I cannot understand the need or point of comparing the Lionesses to The Three Lions, and if you don't like women's football, or seeing women triumph, inspiring countless young girls to take up football, therefore taking exercise, getting off their phones, being part of a club, team, community and improving every aspect of their life, then don't watch it, or comment on it, you won't be missed, but you might be missing out'.
He added that the Lionesses are 'uniting people from all walks of life in the process, and giving us all a break for the daily worries we all face in our own lives. We should simply be saying 'thank you' and joining in the celebrations'.