Gareth Southgate admits England future amid Man Utd links

Gareth Southgate admits he is unlikely to remain in charge of England beyond the summer if he fails to steer his side to Euro 2024 glory.

The 53-year-old took over from Sam Allardyce in 2016 and led the national team to the semi-finals of the Russia 2018 World Cup before missing out on medals at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

England enter the European Championships this summer as hot favorites to win the title, with Southgate boasting an attack to rival any in the international game.

However, the Three Lions flattered to deceive in a poor 1-0 defeat to Iceland – a team ranked 72nd in the world – in their final warm-up game and Southgate will be hoping for a much-improved performance this weekend while his players hit. from their group stage campaign against Serbia.

As he prepares to lead England to his fourth major tournament at the helm, Southgate has allowed his contract to extend over the past six months – and the FA are keen for the former Middlesbrough manager to sign an extension.

But speaking to German publication Bild, Southgate – who has been heavily linked with Manchester United – dropped his biggest hint yet that he could be ready for a new challenge after eight years with England.

“If we don’t win, I probably won’t be here anymore. So it could be the last chance,” Southgate said.

“I think about half of the national coaches leave after one tournament – that’s the nature of international football.

“I’ve been here for almost eight years and we’ve grown close. You can’t constantly stand in front of the public and say, “Less, please,” because at some point people lose faith.

“If we want to be a great team and I want to be a top coach, you have to deliver in the big moments.”

Asked if he had the option of signing a contract extension before the tournament, Southgate said: “No. The reason is that there would have been more criticism, which would have put more pressure on the team.

“England did this once before with Fabio Capello (before the 2010 World Cup) and there was a lot of drama before the tournament.

“You better check yourself after the tournament.”

Southgate is convinced that England have the quality and experience in their squad to compete with Germany’s best.

“We have great depth in the squad, especially in attack,” he continued.

“The team has developed further since the last World Cup and gained more experience.”

According to Southgate, the constant pressure Harry Kane faces at Bayern Munich can only benefit the England captain when it comes to international football.

“For him, the experience and the adaptation of playing for a big club where you have to win every week is good,” the England manager continued.

“Our players have to feel that – because this is our world.

“Every time we draw, or even when we win and we don’t play well, it’s a drama. The more our players understand that, the better.’

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