Gareth Southgate has said he is likely to leave as England manager if his side fail to win Euro 2024.
His contract expires in December, but sources told ESPN that the Football Association wants him to continue in the role.
Southgate, 53, who took up his post in 2016, led England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and led England to a dramatic change in fortunes, including a penalty shoot-out loss to Italy at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final.
England were narrowly eliminated by France in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. The overall tournament record, along with the emergence of exciting young players including Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Kobbie Mainoo, have raised expectations for this year’s Euros.
Southgate almost quit after the World Cup as he wondered whether he was the right man to lead the team, and a decision will be made again after the final in Germany.
“If we don’t win (the euro), I probably won’t be here anymore,” he told German newspaper Bild. If so, it could be your last chance.
“I think about half of the national coaches leave after the tournament. That’s the nature of international football. I’ve been here almost eight years and I’m close.
“So I know you can’t keep standing up in public and saying, ‘Please do a little more,’ because at some point, people are going to lose trust in your message.
“If we want to be a great team and I want to be the best coach, I have to perform when it matters.”
Southgate told ESPN last month that the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico would be an “amazing tournament” but insisted he had not decided whether to go ahead with it.
Asked whether he could extend his contract before the Euros, Southgate cited the backlash over Inter Milan’s interest Fabio Capello agreeing to stay ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. At that time, England lost 4-1. 16 in Germany.
“No, (it wasn’t an option),” he said. “The reason is there would have been more criticism and it would have put more pressure on the team. England have had that before with Fabio Capello and there was big drama before the tournament. It’s good to check yourself after the tournament. “
England open Group C action against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. The team arrived at the team’s base in Blankenhain on Monday evening and will train for the first time in public at the Jena Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
