“I won’t pick his calls again after what he did”- Arsenal star Ben White revealed how Gareth Southgate and other England internationals teased and irritated him until he left the England World Cup camp in tears in 2022.
During his recent involvement with the England national team, Arsenal defender Ben White became involved in a heated argument with England assistant manager Steve Holland, characterized as an “angry exchange.”
This altercation reportedly took place towards the end of White’s time with the national squad, leading England manager Gareth Southgate to reveal that White had indicated he would not be available for selection. The decision to withdraw from the squad for England’s upcoming Euro 2024 campaign was conveyed to England’s technical director John McDermott by Arsenal’s sporting director Edu.
Notably, White has chosen not to explain the reason for his sudden departure from the national team, leaving Southgate puzzled by the defender’s unexpected reluctance to participate in England’s summer activities. The situation became contentious during the World Cup campaign in Qatar, where White and Holland were involved in a heated exchange witnessed by their fellow English players.
According to reports from The Athletic, tensions escalated between White and Holland due to alleged disregard for tactical information provided by the assistant manager regarding opponents’ strategies and training data. Holland expressed frustration, highlighting White’s supposed lack of enthusiasm for football compared to his own career aspirations.
White’s comments from November 2022, where he expressed reluctance to watch football after exhausting training sessions and meetings, have been mentioned in the context of the confrontation. However, there is no conclusive evidence that White’s altercation with Holland directly influenced his decision to leave the England camp during the tournament.
During a press conference addressing the incident, Southgate attempted to diminish any lingering animosity, stating that Holland does not hold any grudges against White. Despite the disagreement, Southgate recognized White’s consistent performance on the field, affirming his abilities as a seasoned player.
As the situation continues to unfold, speculation arises regarding the underlying reasons behind White’s departure from the England setup, adding an intriguing element to the narrative surrounding the talented defender’s international career.
