Southgate to continue as England manager

Gareth Southgate will continue in his role as England manager until December 2024, the English Football Association announced on Sunday. The news ends speculation over the 52-year-old’s future, which has been in doubt since England’s quarter-final defeat to France at the Qatar World Cup.

Southgate was appointed England coach on a full-time basis in November 2016, signing a four-year deal. He had spent the previous three years coaching the Under-21s team before being called in as a temporary replacement for Sam Allardyce, who was dismissed in September 2016. The FA decided to keep Southgate on which proved to be the right move. He guided the Three Lions to the semi-finals at the Russia World Cup in 2018 and the Euro 2020 final against Italy three years later, which his team lost on penalties. He has proved a popular figure with the players, fans and the media but there was a question mark over whether he would continue or not following England’s elimination at Qatar 2022. After the defeat to France, Southgate said that he needed time to think things over.

Fortunately, he has agreed to see out the remainder of his contract, which expires on 31 December 2024. Southgate will be at the helm for the next editions of the Euros, which will be held in Germany in 18 months’ time.

“We are delighted to confirm that Gareth Southgate is continuing as England manager and will lead our Euro 2024 campaign,” an FA statement read. “Gareth and [assistant manager] Steve Holland have always had our full support, and our planning for the Euros starts now.”

Since making his debut as England coach overseeing a 2-0 win against Malta in September 2016, Southgate’s record stands at 52 wins, 15 draws and 15 defeats in 82 games in charge. England are next in action in three months’ time - they face Italy in the first Euro 2024 Group C qualifying match in Naples on 23 March 2023.