NICE guy, Gareth Southgate.
 Too nice, some reckon. Honest and forthright yes. Yet so polite, so well-spoken, and courteous to a fault. But a soft touch? No way, says Neil Maddison. And the former Middlesbrough favourite – now a youth team coach at Darlington – would know. The pair, along with Colin Cooper, are enrolled on the same UEFA A-licence course, and as it nears its final examination later this month, Maddison has revealed how Southgate is as much class bully as school swot. And on the path to glowing graduation. “Gareth’s a fantastic guy, but nobody wants to win more than him,” said Maddison (bottom right). “People maybe don’t realise this but on the pitch, he played hard. It’s like he had two sides and when he had to show the meaner, nastier side he did. I’m sure that’s still the case now he’s a manager. “He’s also got a great chairman in Steve Gibson, who’ll support him to the hilt. That’s given him a great start in management – he couldn’t have wished for better. But he’s his own man and wants to be successful. I believe he will be, no question. “I’m on the same UEFA A-licence course at Lilleshall with him, and Colin Cooper. It’s very interesting seeing how different people evolve as coaches, in their own characteristic way. “Gareth’s very impressive. Has he copied my homework yet? No, it’s more like the other way round!” He was joking, before his FA assessors give him extra lines. For Maddison is taking coaching as seriously as it gets, and means to follow Southgate into full management. “You can’t replicate playing but coaching is the next best thing,” he said. “I’m a Darlington lad and a Darlington fan so I’m still kicking every ball. Things are going well here, there’s a great set-up and good players. It’s a nice place to be. “Management is something that I’m definitely interested in. I’ve been in the game 25 years and loved every minute, so I can’t see myself out of football. “I’m learning all the time, I like listening to the gaffer and I’m always picking up things – and the long-term aim is to be a manager.” | 
