The FA wants Gareth Southgate to stay on as England boss – regardless of what happens at the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
Southgate is one game away from writing his name in the history books as the Three Lions prepare to face Spain in the final in Berlin live on talkSPORT.
The 53-year-old’s contract is due to expire in December and the feeling is that this summer’s tournament in Germany could be his last.
However, The Times reports the FA want Southgate to stay because of his track record but also his willingness to buy into their vision at St George’s Park.
Southgate has come in for intense criticism in recent weeks for his team selection and perceived negative tactics.
But with England just one match away from their first trophy in 58 years, that scrutiny has turned to high praise.
Should England win the Euro 2024 final with Spain, Southgate will go down in history as one of the Three Lions’ greatest-ever managers, putting him firmly in the category with Sir Alf Ramsay who famously led the nation to World Cup glory in 1966.
Southgate took charge of England’s senior side in September 2016 and guided England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 – his first-ever major tournament in the role.
He then guided England to the Euro 2020 final where they famously lost to Italy on penalties at Wembley Stadium.
England then headed to Qatar for the World Cup in 2022 where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by France.
With another major final secured and the prospect of a major trophy on the cards, Southgate will be hoping to add some silverware to his already sterling England CV.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham admitted last month that there is a Southgate succession plan, however, he insisted no one had been approached for the job.
“Any organisation really has a succession plan in place for their top employees,” he said at England’s training base in Blankenhain.
“We are no different to that. This succession plan normally includes everything from what you do for short-term cover, through to a process you follow to candidates. We have that for top employees.
“I want to respect Gareth and the team that they are very focused on the tournament and we want to be supporting them with that focus. Clearly, you plan lots of different scenarios for all your top employees all the time.
“Gareth has been really, really clear that he wants to talk about it after the tournament. I don’t want to provide any distraction for him and the team. I want to respect the fact that they want to talk about the future after the tournament.
“I’ve had no approach about him. There have been no approaches.
“We are sitting down after the tournament together and will talk about everything.
“I don’t think it is distracting for him (Gareth). I think he is used to it, he is in a great position and really positive.”
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday as England bid to make history against Spain. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the build-up.