As Euro 2024 wraps up England must confront one of the issues looming over the team, what next for manager Gareth Southgate?
With Spain securing a 2-1 win over England it marks his fourth tournament in charge of the national team with a second final, and sadly just as in 2021 Southgate saw his side narrowly defeated.
During the competition there were plenty reckoning that he'd be leaving his post once Euro 2024 was over.
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After the final whistle England captain Harry Kane said 'we love the manager but that's his decision' of the possibility that Southgate might leave.
Southgate himself said his side 'competed to the very end of the final' and when asked about his future said he 'has to talk to the right people' as 'now is not the moment' to make that decision.
Regardless of the result, in Southgate's years in charge of England he has never failed to be anything less than a fantastic ambassador for the national team and the country itself.
Being in charge of England means you've got to be half football manager, half politician and Southgate always excelled when it came to that part of the job.
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He took an England side that had gone through some difficult years and built it into an image of a diverse, progressive England that all who call this green and pleasant land home could be proud of.
A decision on his future may be on the cards but his time as England manager has restored a certain sense of joy and connection to the team.
If Southgate goes then his successor will take the reins of a very promising team.
England under Gareth Southgate
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Southgate has arguably been our most successful manager since the great Sir Alf Ramsey.
He restored national pride and made people want to watch and support England again.
In his first tournament, the men's team reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, their best performance since 1990, though they lost 2-1 after extra time to Croatia.
England, again, got to a semi-final in 2019 in the UEFA Nations League, however lost out to the Netherlands 3-1.
And in Euro 2020 (played in 2021), the Three Lions made their first major final since 1966 but sadly lost to Italy on penalties.
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Despite progression, there has been plenty of criticism for Southgate's 'conservative tactics', with some believing that he has held the current group back from their full potential.
Will Southgate stay on?
Ahead of the final, Southgate remained tight-lipped about his decision to carry on as manager.
“The way my emotions have gone over the last five weeks, it would be ridiculous for me to think about anything beyond this game,” he said.
“We’ve got time to make decisions and I won’t need weeks, but also I think I’ve earned the right to give myself a few days just to think things through. I know where it would have been if we went out in the group stage, that’s for sure. I have a pretty good idea in my head.”
The players want him to stay
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“I know for a fact the lads would love him to stay on until 2026 - there is no doubt about that,” Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said.
“The way he looks after us, how calm he is, how he is as a man-manager, how he is on the training pitch with us, he’s top.
“None of us have spoken to him about it, that’s none of our business. Whatever he wants to do, whatever makes him happy, I’m sure he’ll make the right decision.
“But I’m sure he’s got the backing of everyone to stay.”
Next England manager odds
According to SkyBet, the odds for the next permanent England manager are as follows:
- Graham Potter - 1/1
- Eddie Howe - 5/2
- Mauricio Pochettino - 4/1
- Jürgen Klopp - 10/1
- Lee Carsley - 14/1
- Frank Lampard - 16/1
- Pep Guardiola - 20/1
- Steven Gerrard - 28/1
- Gary O'Neil - 33/1
Additional words by Joe Harker.
Topics: Gareth Southgate, Euro 2024, Sport, Football
Anish Vij