“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 embroiled in what has been characterized as a heated confrontation with England’s assistant manager, Steve Holland.

This altercation reportedly occurred towards the end of White’s time with the national squad, prompting England manager Gareth Southgate to reveal that White had indicated his unavailability for selection. This decision was relayed to England’s technical director, John McDermott, by Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, resulting in White’s withdrawal from the squad for England’s upcoming Euro 2024 campaign.

Interestingly, White has chosen not to offer an explanation for his sudden departure from the national team, leaving Southgate puzzled by the defender’s unexpected reluctance to participate 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 due to alleged disregard for tactical information provided by the assistant manager regarding opponents’ strategies and training data. Holland reportedly expressed his frustration, highlighting White’s perceived 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 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 minimize any lingering animosity, asserting that Holland holds no ill will towards White. Despite the discord, Southgate acknowledged White’s consistent performance on the pitch, affirming his prowess as a seasoned player.

As the situation continues to unfold, speculation mounts regarding the underlying reasons for White’s exit from the England setup, adding an intriguing subplot to the narrative surrounding the talented defender’s international career.