Football
FA chiefs delay Gareth Southgate talks as Man Utd make call on England boss
Gareth Southgate will lead England into a major tournament for the fourth time when Euro 2024 gets underway, but there is speculation he could walk away from the position later this year
FA chiefs will not make any plans for potential Gareth Southgate successors until the Euros is finished.
Southgate’s current deal expires in December and there is a growing feeling that this could be his last tournament as England boss. The Football Association have made no secret of how much they want to keep Southgate and are ready to give him a new contract to persuade him to stay.
But the FA have not made any approaches or back-up plans especially as Southgate has a six-month grace period after the Euros written into his £2.5m-a-year contract.
Southgate has been in charge for eight years and is now under pressure to deliver a trophy after making huge strides with the team and championing St George’s Park.
Winning the Euros and staying on for another crack at the World Cup may be one scenario which persuades Southgate to stay. But Southgate may also want another chance at domestic management and Manchester United were keen but have moved on because the timeline does not align.
There are also no obvious candidates to replace Southgate – other than Graham Potter or Eddie Howe – as the FA’s ideal would be a homegrown coach who champions the St George’s Park set-up.
Speaking last month regarding the speculation, Southgate said: “Well, for me, it’s not an issue and never has been.
“I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there’s enough work involved in that. I think everybody would expect that’s where my focus should be.”
He added: “There will always be speculation about managers, because if you lose a couple of games, you’re in trouble – you win a couple of games and it is a different agenda.
“But for me, it [Euro 2024] is a brilliant opportunity. We’re looking forward to the tournament. My focus is on how do we go a step further than we went in the last Euros [when they were beaten on penalties in the final by Italy].”
Southgate and his players landed in Germany on Monday, where they will spend the first night in their luxury base hotel. Preparations for their opener against Serbia will now ramp up, with the Three Lions kicking off their tournament in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night.
Bukayo Saka has emerged as a potential doubt for that clash however, with Southgate managing the Arsenal star’s training programme. It’s better news for Trent Alexander-Arnold though, Mirror Football understands that the Liverpool defender could start in midfield against Serbia.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
20/7/2024 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Rosehill, Winter Challenge day
 "BCCI want Test specialists to play domestic cricket; Rohit, Virat, Bumrah to be exceptions")
BCCI want Test specialists to play domestic cricket; Rohit, Virat, Bumrah to be exceptions
HORSE RACING DAY 5: Andrew Champagne’s picks, analysis, bankroll
HORSE RACING DAY 5: Andrew Champagne’s picks, analysis, bankroll
600 Jobs, 25,000 Seekers: Air India Drive Sets Off Stampede Fear In Mumbai
More Trips, Higher Prices: Business Travel Spending May Finally Top 2019 Levels
Let’s take this offline: why indie fashion boutiques are back in fashion
Blue Jays balance college-heavy Draft with a few high-upside picks
Get to Know Gopher Men’s Basketball’s Frank Mitchell – University of Minnesota Athletics
