When working with the England football team, we focus on what we might achieve instead of worrying about what might go wrong. I honestly believe that with the right mindset, a willingness to learn from our mistakes, and the ability to cope with the highs and lows, every one of us can make the most of our lives.

In this book I hope I can prepare you for your own exciting journey ahead.

During a playing career spanning 500 senior appearances, Gareth Southgate captained both Aston Villa and Middlesbrough to League Cup final success, whilst also leading out the latter in a major European Cup final in the last game of his career. Gareth represented England 57 times, including the heart-breaking semi-final match in Euro '96 when his missed penalty saw England lose to Germany.

After his playing career, Gareth took managerial roles at Middlesbrough and the England Under 21s. In 2016, Gareth was appointed England manager of the senior men's team. In 2018 he guided the Three Lions to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia, England's most successful result at a World Cup tournament in decades.

In 2018 he received an OBE and was awarded Coach of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

In 2019 he was awarded the Football Writers' Association Tribute Award. Off the pitch, as a Goodwill Ambassador for The Prince's Trust, Gareth has supported the Trust's Future Leaders program, which helps give young people skills in leadership and teamwork. For the FA, Gareth has authored the We Only Do Positive handbook, a resource for coaches and parents of young players highlighting the importance of positive values and behaviors such as fairness, integrity, inclusion and leadership.