Gareth Southgate ‘will sit down with the FA in early January for a detailed World Cup debrief’ to decide his England future… with bosses hoping a relaxed Christmas with family will persuade him to carry on
The Football Association ‘will meet with Gareth Southgate in January’ to see if the England manager wants to carry on in his role.
A ‘comprehensive debrief’ of England’s run to the World Cup quarter-final will be held with the FA hoping a Christmas and New Year spent relaxing with family will convince Southgate to carry on.
Southgate, 52, has been in the job since 2016 and has a contract until the 2024 European Championship but is considering his future after England’s heart-breaking exit to France.
Gareth Southgate will meet with FA bosses in early January for a ‘World Cup debrief’ and decide whether to remain on in his job
Southgate consoles Harry Kane after his agonising penalty miss against France last weekend
The Times report that the FA plan to meet with Southgate in early January and hope his ‘energy’ levels will be replenished enough to continue as England boss.
As Sportsmail has reported, the FA will need a fairly quick answer from Southgate with the Euro 2024 qualification campaign starting in late March.
The Three Lions face a tricky opener away to Italy in Naples and then play Ukraine at home, with any successor to Southgate ideally needing to be in place by then.
In the aftermath of England’s loss to France last Saturday, in which Harry Kane missed a late penalty, Southgate said he would take time to consider his future in the job.
England boss Gareth Southgate will be asked to make a quick decision on his future by the FA
The Qatar World Cup was the third major tournament Southgate has led England in, following a run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final.
Although losing to France in the last eight represents a regression on the last two tournaments, the manner of England’s performance offered encouragement.
However, the manner of the defeat will certainly be emotionally draining for Southgate and his players.
Some England supporters had turned on Southgate following poor performances in their UEFA Nations League campaign this year, which led to the embarrassment of relegation from the top-tier of the competition and no wins from six games.
England lost 2-1 to France in last Saturday’s quarter-final having performed well in the game
The World Cup performances have restored pride, however, as England prepare to embark on another tournament cycle with home and away qualifiers next year against Italy, Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia.
Southgate waited four months to recommit himself after the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy last year and signed a two-year contract extension last November.
But time will be of the essence this time around with Southgate conscious of not leaving the FA in the lurch just two months before the beginning of European Championship qualifying.
The FA have no succession plans in place and a shortage of credible English candidates, with Eddie Howe and Graham Potter (pictured) committed to Newcastle and Chelsea respectively
The two leading English candidates to replace Southgate should he step down are Graham Potter and Eddie Howe, but they are in work at Chelsea and Newcastle United respectively.
The FA are open to foreign candidates with Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel two names in the frame.
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