Gareth Southgate keeps future options open following Euro 2024 final defeat

Berlin: Following England's 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, Gareth Southgate is uncertain about his future as manager of the national team. His current contract expires in December, leaving open the question of whether he will extend it to include upcoming tournaments like the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

"I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that. I’m going to talk to the right people," Southgate told British broadcaster ITV after the final. "It’s just not for now."

During his eight-year tenure, Southgate has achieved significant milestones, becoming the first manager of the England men's team to reach two finals and the first to lead them to a final outside of England. However, England's only major trophy remains the 1966 World Cup.

After the final whistle against Spain, Southgate stood alone with his hands on his hips before congratulating Spain's coaches. He then traversed the field to individually console his disappointed players amid the celebrations of the victorious Spanish team.

Southgate's time in the high-pressure role has seen mixed reactions from fans and the media. Initially revered by England supporters for leading the team to the 2018 World Cup semifinals and the Euro 2020 final, Southgate has faced criticism for perceived defensive tactics, particularly highlighted during Euro 2024.

"We all want to be loved, right?" he remarked after the semifinal win over the Netherlands, acknowledging the challenges of constant scrutiny.

When asked about his desire to stay on and guide England to victory in future tournaments after two near-misses at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, Southgate preferred not to delve into specifics about his future plans.

“I totally understand the question and understand you need to ask it, but I need to have those conversations with important people behind the scenes, and I’m obviously not going to discuss that publicly first,” he stated.

Reflecting on England's performance in the final against Spain, Southgate cited fatigue from pre-tournament injuries and the strain of extra time in recent matches as contributing factors.

“At the end the legs start to go and you start to make mistakes," he observed. "The players have pushed it until the 85th minute of the final game. They’ve been incredible, really.”

Looking ahead, England faces Ireland in the Nations League on September 7, leaving little time for reflection before their next competitive fixture. AP