- Author, Emma Sanders
- Role, BBC Sport journalist
-
England manager Gareth Southgate says “now is not the time” to make a decision on his future.
Southgate, 53, has been in charge since 2016 but his current contract is due to expire in December.
Asked about his future, Southgate told the BBC: “Now is not the time for me to speak about that. I need to talk to the right people and give myself a bit of time.
“To get to another final… it was a privilege to have the opportunity. But to come up short is hard at the moment.”
Under Southgate, England have reached back-to-back European finals as well as the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the last eight of the 2022 World Cup.
He faced criticism in Germany this month despite England progressing to the knockout stages as group winners.
“The players will take enormous credit for getting us to where we did but when you’re as close as that, you have to take your chance,” Southgate told ITV.
“They have represented the shirt with pride and haven’t been beaten until the very end. I just think Spain had more control of the game.
“England are in a really good position in terms of the experience they have. Most of this squad will be around for the next World Cup and maybe the next Euros.
“There’s a lot to look forward to but at this moment, it’s not any consolation.”
Southgate admitted it was “hard to reflect” on his eight years in charge but has no doubts England can be successful in future major tournaments.
“Of course to take England to two finals has never been done but we came here to win and we haven’t been able to do that,” he added.
“England have some fabulous players. We have been consistently back in the matches that matter. It’s the last step we haven’t been able to do.”
‘The FA has a big decision to make’
England captain Harry Kane said the players “love the manager” and they “wanted so badly to win it for him” having also suffered defeat against Italy three years ago.
They have become the first nation in Euros history to lose successive finals, while Southgate is the first manager to end up on the losing side twice.
“I suspect it will be Southgate’s last game,” former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC One.
“There will be great disappointment at home. They could have played more attacking football but they got to the final. But when you are there, you have got to get over the line.
“The reality is, Southgate got us to a final three years ago and got us to a final here, and hasn’t won. That will hurt him and maybe he will think it’s time for someone else.”
Ex-England striker Gary Lineker, speaking on BBC One, said he suspects Southgate “may have had enough” from a “tough, gruelling job”.
Meanwhile, former defender Rio Ferdinand says Southgate “has to take some stick” for England’s defeats in the finals.
“You have to look at what talent pool we have and I don’t feel like we are putting them in the best position possible,” added Ferdinand.
“The Football Association (FA) has got a big decision to make.”
‘Southgate deserves a lot more praise’
Image source, Getty Images
England forward Ollie Watkins told BBC Radio 5 Live that Southgate has brought “togetherness” to the squad.
“This group of lads are such a tight-knit group,” added Watkins.
“Since he has come in, he has been the most successful England manager there is – he deserves a lot more praise than what he gets. I would have loved to win as he deserves it more than anyone.
“I have had an unbelievable seven weeks. I couldn’t speak any higher of the coaching staff, the backroom staff and all the players.”
Southgate has support from his players but former England defender Matt Upson says it has “not been easy” to watch them in Germany.
They have conceded the first goal in eight of their last 12 matches, including the last four in a row.
“It has been difficult as there has not been a clear style or plan,” added Upson.
“Gareth has made a lot of good calls but when you compare it to Spain and how they go about attacking this tournament and taking it apart – it is night and day.”
