Gareth Southgate said he is likely to leave his position England coach if his team does not win Euro 2024.
His contract expires in December, although sources told ESPN that the Football Association wants him to continue in the role.
Southgate, 53, who took over in 2016, has seen a dramatic change in fortunes, taking England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and losing the Euro 2020 final on penalties to his opponents. defense. Italy at Wembley.
England was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup in the quarter-finals France in a game with good margins. The overall performance of that tournament, combined with the emergence of a host of exciting young players included Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon And Kobbie Mainoohas raised expectations ahead of this year’s Euro.
Southgate almost quit after the World Cup as he wondered whether he was the best person to lead the team forward, and the decision will be made again after the final in Germany.
“If we don’t win,” he told German newspaper Bild [the Euros], maybe I won’t be here anymore. Then it could be the last chance.
“I think about half of national coaches leave after one tournament – that’s the nature of international football. I’ve been here for almost eight years and we’ve come close.
“So I know that you can’t just stand in front of the public and say, ‘Let’s do a little more,’ because at some point people will lose faith in your message.
“If we want to be a big team and I want to be a top coach, then you have to give everything in the important moments.”
Southgate told ESPN last month that the 2026 World Cup is in USA, Canada And Mexico will be a “fantastic tournament” but insists he has not yet decided whether to continue.
When asked if signing a contract extension before the Euros was an option, Southgate referred to the backlash over Fabio Capello agreeing to stay amid interest from Inter Milan ahead of the 2010 World Cup. South Africawhere England were beaten 4-1 in the round of 16 by Germany.
“ARE NOT, [it wasn’t an option]”, he said. “The reason is that there will be more criticism, which will put more pressure on the team. England did it once with Fabio Capello and there was huge drama before the tournament. Better check yourself after the tournament.”
England’s Group C campaign begins against the odds Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. The team arrived at its base in Blankenhain on Monday night and will practice for the first time on Tuesday afternoon in public at Jena Stadium.
