by DOHA, Qatar – Gareth Southgate is expected to stay on as England manager until Euro 2024, sources have told ESPN.
Although there has been no official communication yet and the Football Association declined to comment when contacted by ESPN on Saturday, it is understood the 52-year-old is now leaning towards staying in charge after publicly admitted doubts about his future.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
Southgate became England boss after Euro 2016 and oversaw a dramatic improvement in the team’s fortunes, reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals before guiding the Three Lions to the delayed final of Euro 2020 last summer, losing to Italy in a penalty shootout.
England were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals in Qatar and although he has a contract until the end of 2024, he wondered if he was the right person to continue in this role.
Southgate was concerned about fan sentiment towards him following England’s relegation from the top tier of the UEFA Nations League, a campaign which saw him booed by his own fans as they crumbled to defeat 4-0 at home against Hungary in June, then away again. at home against Italy in September.
Speaking after the France defeat, Southgate said: “I’ve found much of the last 18 months difficult. For all the things I’ve enjoyed over the past few weeks, I’m still looking at how things have been over the past few weeks. 18 months.
“What was said and what was written, Night Among Wolves. There’s a lot going on in my head that’s really conflicting right now.”
However, the FA wanted Southgate to stay and sources have told ESPN that several players have contacted him to express their support for him leading the team in the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Southgate has spent the week consulting with family and friends and views the mood around the team more positively than the day after England’s 2-1 loss to France.
If the news is confirmed, it will remove what appeared to be a potentially difficult selection process to find Southgate’s successor.
Sources have told ESPN the FA would prefer an English candidate to succeed Southgate, but Graham Potter has only recently joined Chelsea while Eddie Howe is in the midst of a Champions League qualifying campaign at Newcastle.
With the two main English candidates difficult to acquire, they have reportedly considered more distant options, including Brendan Rodgers of Leicester City, while former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino have all two expressed interest in the role.
However, the FA’s first choice has always been for Southgate to remain in their role and it seems likely they have gotten their wish.
England’s next games are in March with two Euro 2024 qualifiers in Italy and at home to Ukraine.
