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.
‘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.’
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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 year 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.
‘The reason is that there would have been more criticism, which would have put more pressure on the team,’ Southgate told BILD, revealing why contract talks had not taken place ahead of Euro 2024.
‘England did that once before with Fabio Capello and there was a big drama before the tournament. It’s better to check yourself after the 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 but it is understood he was persuaded to stay by the exciting crop of talented players at his disposal.
But his contract uncertainty hasn’t stopped rumours from mounting over his future with Man United having reportedly put Southgate on their managerial shortlist amid mounting concerns over Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his leadership group are set to make a decision on the Dutch manager’s future at the club. Executives at Old Trafford are currently conducting a season review of the team’s performances.
Pressure has been mounting on Ten Hag, amid United’s torrid season, with the Red Devils slumping to eighth in the table. But the Dutchman may have given himself a reprieve, after United beat rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
While Ten Hag has brought two major honours to the club in his first two seasons in charge, speculation has mounted that he is facing the sack, with Southgate having emerged as one of the top candidates to succeed him, alongside Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi.
More to follow…