Former England manager Gareth Southgate is set to take on an unexpected new television role, stepping away from football to front a BBC documentary addressing the men's mental health crisis. The 55-year-old football legend will follow in the footsteps of Louis Theroux by examining the 'manosphere' and its growing impact on the current generation.
Southgate's Mission
Discussing the project, Southgate said: 'This is the next step in my purpose to get young men and boys moving in the right direction rather than falling behind. I wanted them to speak openly and without judgement about what's really going on in their lives. Through these conversations, I've gained a better understanding of the challenges they face. It's been a fascinating experience, and I am so grateful to everyone I met who were brave enough to share their stories.'
Southgate, who managed the England national team from 2016 to 2024, added: 'I hope this documentary will go some way towards changing the national conversation and encourage us all to support them in realising their potential.'
Documentary Details
Titled Gareth Southgate: Changing the Game for Young Men, the programme will air on BBC One on June 8 at 9pm. It sees Southgate explore everyday issues experienced by young men, including employment, identity, school, mental health, and problems at home. During his travels across the UK, he meets young men struggling to find work, boys falling behind at school, and those without father figures. Southgate also visits a prison where he and young inmates discuss their reasons for turning to crime.
Commissioning Editor's Comments
Gian Quaglieni, Commissioning Editor for BBC Current Affairs, said: 'Gareth Southgate is in a unique position to explore why so many boys feel like they're falling behind and to think differently about what might help. This film steps away from polarised arguments and instead listens to how young people really feel and what they're dealing with. These are important conversations – and not always easy – but they need to be heard.'
Context: The Manosphere
Earlier this year, Louis Theroux issued a warning to parents of boys following abusive run-ins while filming his Netflix documentary Inside the Manosphere. During the 90-minute film, Theroux examined how prominent male content creators are shaping young men's ideas about masculinity. He met figures such as Harrison Sullivan (aka HSTikkyTokky), Myron Gaines, Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy (aka Sneako), Justin Waller, and Ed Matthews. The 56-year-old entered their world and learned how these individuals promote their views on traditional gender roles and values.
The manosphere refers to an online network of forums, websites, and blogs that promote anti-feminist beliefs, masculinity, and misogyny. At the start of his documentary, Theroux noted that 'parts of the Internet were being taken over' by male influencers claiming to provide young men with 'cheat codes to win at life'. He told The Mirror: 'These aren't figures on the margins - anyone who's got kids, and especially boys, will know that they are making inroads into the culture. Their influence is being felt in schools, in the workplace and all across the internet.'
