Gareth Southgate revealed on Thursday night that he will not decide on his future until after this summer’s Euros and provided the strongest hint yet that he could be persuaded to stay on as England manager.
The 53-year-old’s contract expires in December and it has been widely assumed he will stand down after a gruelling eight years in charge of the national team.
Southgate considered quitting after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with assistant Steve Holland an influential voice in convincing him to go again following the disappointment of England’s quarter-final defeat by France.
He appears to retain an open mind however and, following the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League draw, insisted that his only concern at present is trying to claim England’s first trophy since 1966.
England were drawn with Ireland, Finland and Greece in the second tier of the Nations League following their relegation from League A last season.
Gareth Southgate has hinted that he may yet extend his eight-year tenure as England coach
The manager considered quitting after England’s 2022 World Cup exit but was convinced to stay on by assistant coach Steve Holland, keen for another shot at silverware in Euro 2024
Your browser does not support iframes.
‘If we did anything before the summer it would be detrimental to the performance, whichever way your decision went,’ said Southgate. ‘We’ve got to see how the summer goes.
‘I know what we’re capable of achieving in the summer, I know what my own benchmark of success would be. After that, I’m not really thinking about anything else at the moment.
‘Without a doubt, it’s exciting to take the team. Whatever the strengths of the squad, in the end, we’ve got to deliver performance, and you’ve got to make the best decisions for everybody.
‘I won’t be in a position to make that decision before the tournament. My only focus is to try and win the tournament for England.’
Southgate also issued a warning to Marcus Rashford by revealing that he will be monitoring his players’ conduct on and off the pitch before naming his squad for next month’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, the last group he will select before picking his Euros squad in May.
The Manchester United striker has endured a difficult season and was fined £650,000 by his club last month after missing a training session due to becoming ill on a partying trip to Belfast.
‘We’re five weeks away from picking a squad, although so much happens to players over the period between November and March that we’re always observing everything on and off the pitch,’ Southgate added.
‘In a few weeks’ time, we’ll have decisions to make on the whole squad and there’s going to be a lot of attention because it’s the final squad before the Euros.’
Southgate has warned players such as Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford that conduct on and off the pitch will be under scrutiny ahead of the next England squad selection
The 53-year-old travelled with former England youth coach Steve Cooper to watch Jordan Henderson play for Ajax last week, following the ex-Liverpool star’s exit from Saudi Arabia
England’s Nations League draw will see former Republic of Ireland players Declan Rice (left) and Jack Grealish (right) face off against their former international sides in the group stage
Southgate was more positive about Jordan Henderson, after watching his Ajax debut against PSV in person in Amsterdam last weekend. The former Liverpool captain’s return to Europe is a major boost for Southgate, with central midfield an area where the manager is short of options.
‘It’s easier to assess someone playing in a European league,’ he said. ‘I think he (Henderson) will be excited about the game the other night. He’s had a really warm welcome and been really well received, and I’m sure that will mean a lot to him.’
UEFA confirmed England’s Nations League fixtures on Thursday for a campaign that begins in September, with a first competitive meeting with Ireland since 1991 the highlight of games that will see Declan Rice and Jack Grealish play against the country they once represented.
‘I don’t know where we would have been without them, especially Declan,’ Southgate admitted. ‘If we hadn’t had Declan over the past four years, then I don’t know what we would have done.’