Nearly a decade after he started repairing England’s tarnished reputation, Gareth Southgate is approaching his end game with the chance to burnish his legacy by winning Euro 2024. Entering what is likely to be his last major tournament as England boss, the stakes are high for Southgate. England has never won the European Championship and is still waiting for Southgate to deliver a major trophy after several agonising near misses.
The 53-year-old’s contract with the Football Association expires at the end of this year and he is yet to agree a new deal. Southgate has been linked with Manchester United, who is still pondering Erik ten Hag’s future after his troubled second season culminated with an unexpected FA Cup triumph. United might appeal to Southgate although, 15 years after his last club job with Middlesbrough, he hinted retirement could also be an option if England returns from Germany with the trophy.
“I’ve never spoken with a club in all my time in the job. I think that would be disrespectful to the position I hold,” he said. “The reality of that is we focus totally on this tournament.
I’ve worked in this building for over 10 years and, yeah, the ambition has been to win a tournament. So there’s nothing for us to consider until we’ve done that. And if we can do that, maybe I’ll retire and do nothing anyway,” he added.
Southgate’s men will start the Euros firmly established as one of the leading contenders and should coast through Group C, whe.
