I was England manager Gareth Southgate’s best man – it’s my turn to make FA Cup history and he’s not invited

ANDY WOODMAN, England manager Gareth Southgate’s best man, is eyeing FA Cup success this weekend.

The 52-year-old came through alongside Southgate as a schoolboy apprentice at Crystal Palace.

Andy Woodman is now the manager of BromleyJamie McPhilimey

PAWoodman, right, as Southgate’s best man at his wedding[/caption]

Woodman ended up being released, before he went on to enjoy a 15-year career as a goalkeeping coach for the likes of West Ham, Charlton, Newcastle, Palace and Arsenal.

And his friendship with Southgate remained as they ended up as the best men at each other’s weddings.

Southgate went on to become England boss in 2016, one year before Woodman took over as manager of non-league side Whitehawk.

Then two years ago, he was appointed head coach of Bromley.

And that is where he remains today, with the National League outfit.

Bromley take on Blackpool in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday as Woodman’s men eye a League One scalp.

But he has revealed he will not be inviting his pal Southgate – who lost the 2000 FA Cup final with Aston Villa – to the match at Hayes Lane.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “Absolutely not [Southgate will not be invited]. I don’t want him taking all the glory off my team.”

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Woodman also compared the roles he and Southgate have in football and admitted they often discuss issues they are having.

He added: “It’s funny, Gareth and I are both dealing with similar problems albeit he is manager of England and I’m manager of Bromley.

“We talk regularly and I find myself going on about one of my players and he’s going on about one of his. It’s surreal.”

Woodman learned under some experienced coaches including Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger.

And he believes that adds another facet to his coaching prowess.

He said: “I worked closely with some top managers and looked at what they did and learned.

“The tactical side, it goes without saying you have to get that right as a manager. But the most important ingredient for me is you have to be able to manage people and make them really want to run through brick walls and believe in you.

“I always felt I had the personality and temperament to be a manager.”