Former Football Boss Reveals Prince William Tried to Push His Favorite Players Into the Squad
Prince William is also known for serving as the president of the Football Association and has long been one of the most visible supporters of England.
It’s no secret that Prince William is a die-hard Aston Villa fan, but Sir Gareth Southgate recently revealed just how far the royal's club loyalty goes. As the president of the Football Association and one of England’s most visible supporters, William regularly visited the national squad during Southgate’s tenure as manager. As per the former manager, those interactions also involved some lighthearted opinions about who should make the team.
According to the Daily Star, while speaking about his years in charge of England, Southgate joked that William was not shy about backing Aston Villa talent, saying, "The PM never told me who to pick. Prince William did a couple of times—he'd go for every Aston Villa player." The comment drew immediate attention because of William's well-documented support for Aston Villa. Their England representatives during Southgate's tenure included striker Ollie Watkins and defenders Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa. While the remark was clearly made in jest, it offered a rare insight into the future King's football conversations behind the scenes.
William’s bond with the national team truly solidified during Southgate's eight-year tenure as manager. The Prince of Wales became a fixture in the England camp, frequently visiting before major tournaments to deliver pep talks or offer a comforting word after heartbreaking defeats. As FA president, he was just as comfortable in the dressing room as he was in the stands, regularly traveling abroad out of a genuine passion for the game. In the end, Southgate’s story proves that while William is a die-hard Aston Villa fan, his dedication to the national team's fortunes is just as absolute.
The ex-manager also got candid about the pressure that comes with selecting an England squad and admitted to being relieved that he is no longer responsible for those decisions. While looking forward to Thomas Tuchel's tenure, Southgate remarked, "I definitely thank God I am out of it. You can see all the issues because you have lived them; you know when there is a bandwagon for certain players." He continued: "But the person picking the team has more information than we do. I don't know how fit they are, how they are training, or how they work with the rest of the group. All the club managers to deal with." He also declined to offer a public verdict on Tuchel's squad choices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s comments coincided with a wave of media coverage surrounding Prince William’s dedicated support for Aston Villa. Having frequently spoken about his deep personal connection to the team, the Prince of Wales was a fixture at major matches during Villa's triumphant UEFA Europa League campaign. He was spotted celebrating with fellow supporters as the club enjoyed its first-ever victory in 44 years and its first major silverware since 1996. Amidst such a major win, Southgate’s joke about William wanting ‘every Aston Villa player’ on England’s team resonated with football enthusiasts, cementing the future King's status as one of the sport's most passionate royal supporters.
