SOUTHEND United legend Chris Powell feels his part in England’s Euro 2020 campaign will never be topped.

Powell won five caps for the Three Lions as a player and also made 274 Premier League appearances.

But the former left-back believes being part of Gareth Southgate’s backroom team for England’s run to the final has been the best moment of his career so far.

“Without a doubt this has been the best moment of my career,” Powell told Echosport.

“Playing and becoming a professional footballer was always a big thing for me, playing in the Premier League was and playing for England was too.

“I got to the pinnacle but this I don’t think I can ever top.

“For it to be in England, at Wembley and for us to have fans there is amazing.

“At one point this was going to be a tournament with no fans.

“That would’ve been a real shame for everyone and it just wouldn’t have been the same.

“It’s shown to me the part the fans play and how incredible a home atmosphere can be, especially in England.

“Wembley has got its own history and memories with the Germany game and the Denmark game but we want one more and we’ve got to work hard for it as Italy are a very, very good side.”

Powell, who made 290 appearances for Blues in the 1990s, has been part of the England set up since 2019.

But the 51-year-old first met Three Lions boss Southgate right at the start of his career.

“I’m a year older than Gareth and we started as young apprentices at Palace,” said Powell.

“You could see then that he was very adaptable.

“He came from a different part of the world to South London and he had to fit in.

“But even then you could see those traits that have been with him throughout his career.”

However, Powell also stressed Southgate has a very tough side to him.

“He’s got a steely side to himself too,” said Powell.

“I’ve had it aimed at me as well that when you’re a good guy you can’t be strong or forceful but you have to be.

“To manage people you have to make the tough decisions.

“But it’s been a really great journey when you look at the two of us.

“He’s in the head role but for me to be here supporting him is an honour and he knows he can trust me because we go back so far.

“We’re in a good place and the players have been immense.

“The camaraderie is just amazing.”

England made it through to Sunday’s final with a 2-1 win against Denmark on Wednesday night.

But plenty of planning has gone into securing England’s progress.

“It’s been brilliant and the planning and organisational side of things have been second to none,” said Powell.

“Being on the coaching side alongside Gareth, Steve Holland and the other Southend United representatives in Graeme Jones and Martyn Margetson has just been sensational.

“It’s been an incredible experience for me and everyone really because we’re making history.

“We can feel it but we’ve been level headed all the way through.

“We’ve given respect to every opponent coming our way and we’ve gone about our business the right way.

“The good thing is the nation have been with us all the way too.

“We needed a feel-good factor for the country after the past 18 months and the nation is together.

“Seeing how the nation is now feels me with pride and hopefully we can continue this experience for everyone on Sunday night.”

However, Powell knows the Italians will be tough to beat this weekend.

“I’ve been very impressed by Italy since day one,” said Powell, who also spent 13 months as Southend United manager.

“They opened the tournament against Turkey and have got stronger.

“They’ve got some top, top players and they’ve got the two old wily centre-backs who are like watching Paul Clark in his heyday.

“They’re grizzly bearded defenders who block everything coming their way.

“We’re going to have to find a way but we’ve planned so well and the final will be no different.”