Southgate makes admission over England future forward of Euro 2024

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 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. 

Gareth Southgate (pictured) has delivered an admission on his future ahead of Euro 2024 

England arrived in Germany on Monday ahead of Euro 2024, with their opening match against Serbia taking place on Sunday 

But Southgate (right) has appeared to suggest that he could step down if England do not win the Euros this summer 

‘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.’

England will begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday and are being backed as one of the favourites to win in Germany, as they look to avenge the heartache of their defeat in the final of Euro 2020. 

Southgate had signed a new three-and-a-half year contract to stay on as England boss following that tournament but is insistant that he wants to win silverware with England. Should he do so this summer, he would be only the second England manager to win a major international tournament after Sir Alf Ramsey. 

The FA had also strategically given Southgate an additional six months on top of his three-year deal to give him time after this summer’s tournament to make a decision on his future. 

The England boss revealed to BILD that this was done in a bid to avoid any 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 said. 

The FA have been keen for Southgate (second right) to stay on as England manager until the 2026 World Cup

Southgate (left) admitted that contract talks had not taken place ahead of the tournament as the FA did not want to put ‘additional pressure on his team’

England wrapped up their warm-up matches for the Euros with a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Iceland on Friday

‘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 had 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 at the top of 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 this summer as executives at Old Trafford are currently conducting a review of the team’s performances last season. 

Manchester United could look to part ways with Erik ten Hag (pictured) this summer, and Southgate has emerged as one of the top candidates to take over at Old Trafford 

Pressure has been mounting on Ten Hag, amid what’s been a 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.

Southgate, though, has spoken out on the links that he could join Man United. While he does have a long-standing relationship with INEOS CEO Ratcliffe, the England manager has admitted he is solely focused on winning the Euros with England. 

‘I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there’s enough work involved in that. I think everybody would expect that’s where my focus should be,’ he told the BBC in May. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (pictured) and his leadership team are currently conducting a review into Man United’s season and could sack Ten Hag following his side’s indifferent form

But Southgate has previously dismissed speculation over the links to Man United 

‘There will always be speculation about managers because if you lose a couple of games, you’re in trouble – you win a couple of games and it is a different agenda,” Southgate said.

‘But for me, it [Euro 2024] is a brilliant opportunity. We’re looking forward to the tournament. My focus is on how do we go a step further than we went in the last Euros [when they were beaten on penalties in the final by Italy].