Gareth Southgate, the current manager of the England national football team, has not ruled out the possibility of remaining in his role until the 2026 World Cup. Southgate, who took charge of England in 2016, has a contract with the English Football Association until December of this year. Speaking after the draw for the UEFA Nations League, Southgate acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with international football but stated that he would evaluate his future after this summer’s European Championship.
As England’s most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey, who led the team to victory in the 1966 World Cup, Southgate has achieved noteworthy milestones. Under his guidance, England reached the final of Euro 2020 and the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup. Despite these accomplishments, Southgate considered stepping down after England’s defeat to France in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup. However, he ultimately decided to continue as the manager through Euro 2024.
Southgate expressed confidence in his team’s abilities and emphasized the importance of delivering a strong performance in the upcoming European Championship. He stated that he knows what the team is capable of achieving and has set his own benchmark for success in the tournament. Southgate’s focus is primarily on the summer and making the best decisions for the team. He mentioned that he won’t make any decisions concerning his future until after the tournament.
In the recently conducted draw for the UEFA Nations League, England was placed in Group C alongside Slovenia, Denmark, and Serbia. This draws parallels to their Euro 2024 group, in which England will face Slovenia and Serbia once again. Additionally, the Nations League draw also grouped England with the Republic of Ireland, Finland, and Greece.
This year’s Nations League marks England’s first appearance in League B after their relegation from the top tier in the previous edition of the competition. The team will aim to perform well and secure a promotion to League A in the future competitions.
While Southgate has emphasized his commitment to England’s immediate goals, he has not dismissed the possibility of managing the team until the 2026 World Cup. The decision ultimately hinges on the team’s performance in the coming years and the achievement of their targets. Southgate emphasized that making the right decisions for everybody involved is crucial, suggesting that his evaluation of the team’s progress and his own aspirations will play a significant role in determining his future as the England manager.
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