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“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 stint with the England national team, Arsenal defender Ben White found himself embroiled in what has been described as an “angry exchange” with England assistant manager Steve Holland.

The altercation reportedly occurred during the final spell of White’s time with the national squad, prompting England manager Gareth Southgate to disclose that White had expressed his unavailability for selection. This decision was communicated to England technical director John McDermott by Arsenal’s sporting director Edu, marking White’s withdrawal from the squad for England’s upcoming Euro 2024 campaign.

Curiously, White has refrained from providing a rationale for his abrupt departure from the national team, leaving Southgate puzzled over the defender’s sudden reluctance to partake in England’s summer endeavors. The situation took a contentious turn during the World Cup campaign in Qatar, where White and Holland engaged in a heated exchange witnessed by their fellow English players.

Reports from The Athletic suggest that tensions escalated between White and Holland over alleged disregard for tactical information provided by the assistant manager regarding opponents’ strategies and training data. Holland reportedly voiced his frustration, emphasizing White’s purported lack of enthusiasm for football compared to his own career aspirations.

White’s remarks from November 2022, wherein he expressed a reluctance to watch football after exhaustive training sessions and meetings, have been cited in the context of the confrontation. However, there is no definitive indication that White’s exchange with Holland directly influenced his decision to depart from the England camp during the tournament.

Addressing the incident during a press conference, Southgate sought to downplay any lingering animosity, asserting that Holland harbors no ill feelings towards White. Despite the discord, Southgate acknowledged White’s consistent performance on the pitch, affirming his prowess as a seasoned player.

As the situation unfolds, speculation abounds regarding the underlying factors behind White’s departure from the England setup, adding an intriguing subplot to the narrative surrounding the talented defender’s international career.

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