England manager and “national hero” Gareth Southgate will be led through the British wilderness by survival expert Bear Grylls.
Southgate, who masterminded the Three Lions’ progress to the semi-finals at the World Cup in Russia, is swapping the dugout for the UK’s most inhospitable terrain.
The “courage and commitment” of the former centre-half will be on display as he accompanies Grylls in an ITV special, Bear’s Mission With Gareth Southgate.
Put through his paces on the trek with an admiring Grylls, the national manager was reminded of his World Cup boot camp.
Just back in UK and now heading down to prep for filming our next @ITV Bear’s Mission With… Our next guest is a hero on so many levels. https://t.co/earVQTNsmY pic.twitter.com/jhdn86H9hK
— Bear Grylls (@BearGrylls) November 21, 2018
Southgate said: “Ahead of the 2018 World Cup Campaign, we took the England squad to the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre for a weekend of military training in the wilderness.
“It was hugely beneficial for the team and something I was keen to repeat.
“Bear’s mission has not disappointed by presenting me with some great physical and mental challenges over the past few days.”
Grylls, who has previously taken to the wilderness with the likes of heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, has paid tribute to the tenacity of Southgate.
He said: “It was an honour getting to know this great national hero on our journey together.”
“Gareth has shown incredible strength in his life becoming England manager and our mission together certainly challenged him on so many levels.
“The wild always rewards commitment and courage, and Gareth has both of these qualities in spades.”
The pair will be seen tackling some of the UK’s unspoilt and unforgiving moorland landscapes when the programme airs.