Gareth Southgate plans to evaluate his role as England’s manager after Euro 2024. His main priority at the moment is to win the upcoming tournament in Germany.
Southgate is currently bound by a contract with the Football Association that ends in December. This allows both parties to have time to review the finals and ensure a smooth transition, if one is even necessary.
He knows that his well-fancied team will have to go extremely well in Germany if there is to be a public appetite for him to continue; he is sensitive to the mood of the country in this regard. And that probably means winning a first major men’s trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
Southgate emphasized during his post-draw statement for the upcoming Nations League that England, after being demoted from the top tier, will be placed in a second tier group with the Republic of Ireland, Greece, and Finland. He also clarified that he has not yet determined if he will continue as manager for the 2026 World Cup.
He expressed, “The outcome of the summer will determine our next course of action. I am confident in our potential and have a clear idea of what success looks like for us. My sole objective is to lead England to victory in the tournament.”
“Our top priority is to achieve optimal performance, and it is important to make decisions that benefit everyone. I am unable to make a decision before the tournament, as it could negatively impact our performance regardless of what decision is made.”
Southgate has managed 91 matches since October 2016. If his team advances to the quarter-finals of the Euros, he will reach 100 matches as manager. In late March, they will play friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium, followed by matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in early June. These games will be held at Wembley Stadium, except for the match against Bosnia, which will take place at St. James’s Park.
Southgate will now prioritize determining his squad for the tournament, and he was asked about a group of players, starting with Jordan Henderson. Henderson recently transferred from Al-Ettifaq to Ajax in January, partly in hopes of improving his chances with the England team. Southgate attended Henderson’s debut with Ajax on Saturday, a 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven in Amsterdam.
According to Southgate, evaluating a player in a European league is simpler. He believes the player must have been enthusiastic about the recent game and is likely grateful for the positive reception he received at Ajax.
Southgate mentioned that he had not communicated with most of his team members since December. However, the topic of Marcus Rashford was raised, as the Manchester United forward received negative attention for his actions during a night out in Belfast in late January.
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“We are currently five weeks away from selecting a team to play against Brazil and Belgium. However, a lot can happen to players during the time between November and March, so we are constantly watching and taking note of their performances and behaviors on and off the field,” stated Southgate.
When inquired about Rashford’s teammate Kobbie Mainoo, he provided additional information. The 18-year-old from Stockport has caught his attention with impressive displays and should be considered for future opportunities.
“I am extremely impressed with his performance,” stated Southgate. “While he may not strictly fit the mold of a defensive midfielder, he brings a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to the game. His career has had a remarkable beginning and I look forward to keeping an eye on his progress.”
Source: theguardian.com
