Gareth Southgate has suggested that he could ‘step down’ as England manager if the Three Lions do not win Euro 2024 this summer.
The 53-year-old’s England contract will expire in December but the Football Association (FA) are keen for Southgate to stay on as England boss and lead the Three Lions out at the 2026 World Cup.
Southgate has previously hinted that he could be tempted to stay on past Euro 2024, despite being heavily linked to take over from Erik ten Hag as the next Manchester United manager.
‘If we don’t win, I probably won’t be here anymore,’ Southgate said to German outlet BILD after his side had arrived in Germany on Monday.
‘So maybe it is the last chance. I think around half the national coaches leave after a tournament – that’s the nature of international football.
Gareth Southgate (pictured) has delivered an admission on his future ahead of Euro 2024
‘I’ve been here almost eight years now and we’ve come close. You can’t constantly put yourself in front of the public and say, “A little more please,” as at some point people lose faith.
‘If we want to be a great team and I want to be a top coach, you must deliver in big moments.’
England will begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday and are being backed as one of the favourites to win in Germany.
Southgate had signed a new three-and-a-half contract to stay on as England boss following the 2021 Euros.
The FA had also given the manager an additional six months after the Euros to decide on his future in a bid to avoid speculation from causing a distraction at this summer’s tournament.
While it has been widely assumed he will stand down, Southgate has also previously stated that he will not decide on his future until after the Euros.
He was appointed to the position back in November 2016 and is now in his eighth year in charge as England boss.
The 53-year-old had considered stepping back following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where his side were knocked out of the quarter-finals by France.
More to follow…
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