FORMER England manager Sir Gareth Southgate has lashed out at “manipulative and toxic influencers” — and insisted young males need better role models.
He said teenage boys are spending too much time gaming, gambling and watching pornography, and risk falling under the spell of internet personalities like vile Andrew Tate.
Sir Gareth, 54, spoke out after it was revealed crossbow killer Kyle Clifford was under the influence of misogyny “poster boy” Tate, 38, when he murdered his ex-girlfriend, her mum and her sister.
His comments, at the BBC’s annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture, also come as Netflix hit Adolescence, starring Stephen Graham and teen Owen Cooper, highlights toxic masculinity.
The Centre for Social Justice also released a “Lost Boys” report about the problem.
Sir Gareth said many young men end up “searching for direction” and fill the void with a “new kind of role model who do not have their best interest at heart”.
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He said: “These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers, whose sole drive is for their own gain.
“They willingly trick young men into believing that success is measured by money or dominance, never showing emotion, and that the world, including women, is against them.
“They are as far away as you could possibly get from the role models our young men need in their lives.”
Sir Gareth delivered the 46th Richard Dimbleby Lecture at the University of London.
It has been held in honour of the broadcaster most years since 1972.
Previous speakers have included King Charles and Bill Gates.
In his speech, Sir Gareth continued: “As real-world communities and mentorship declines, young men end up withdrawing, reluctant to talk or express their emotions.
“They spend more time online searching for direction and are falling into unhealthy alternatives like gaming, gambling and pornography.
“And this void is filled by a new kind of role model who do not have their best interest at heart.”
Sir Gareth, who led England to two Euros finals, added: “Young men are suffering.
“They’re feeling isolated.
“They’re grappling with their masculinity and with their broader place in society.
“We need leaders to set the right tone — to be the role models we want for our young men.
“We have to show young men that character is more important than status; that how you treat others is more important than how much money you make.
“That values matter — courage, humility and integrity over selfishness, greed, arrogance.
“The culture we create today will shape the kind of men that we inherit tomorrow.”
During his speech, the former centre-back spoke about his penalty miss in England’s 1996 Euros semi-final defeat to Germany.
He said: “Missing that penalty was undoubtedly a watershed moment that made me a stronger, better man.
“It forced me to dig deep and revealed an inner belief and resilience I never knew existed.”
Sir Gareth stepped down as England boss last July, two days after England lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Germany.
He was credited with reviving the Three Lions’ flagging fortunes and was then knighted in the New Year Honours for services to football.
Sir Gareth also referred to the Centre for Social Justice report, which warned young men were “in crisis” amid an increase in those not in education, employment or training.
He said: “Too many young men are isolated. Too many feel uncomfortable opening up to friends or family.
“Many don’t have mentors — teachers, coaches, bosses — who understand how best to push them to grow.
“And so, when they struggle, young men inevitably try to handle whatever situation they find themselves in alone.
“Young men end up withdrawing, reluctant to talk or express their emotions.”
The former Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough star also warned that young men are often denied the chance to fail — and learn from their mistakes.
He said: “If we make life too easy for young boys now, we will inevitably make life harder when they grow up to be young men.
“Too many are at risk of fearing failure, because they’ve had too few opportunities to experience and overcome it.
“They fail to try, rather than try and fail.
“If I’ve learned anything from my life in football, it’s that success is much more than the final score.
“True success is how you respond in the hardest moments.”
Sir Gareth recently visited the “brilliant” OnSide youth zone in Oldham.
He said: “I saw children from all backgrounds playing, talking, having fun.
“There was online gaming but no one was on it.
“If we can create the right environments for [youngsters] they will still want to go and play and that might be a very important message.”
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