Robbie Walls
Gareth Southgate looks set to be handed a new extended contract, regardless of England’s Euro 2020 performance.
The 50-year-old initially took the job on an interim basis back in 2016 following Sam Allardyce’s brief stint as Three Lions boss, having previously spent three years in charge of the England U21 side.
After a positive start to his temporary reign as head coach, the former defender was offered the role permanently and has since led his country to a World Cup semi-final, becoming only the third England manager in history to have taken a side to the last four of a major tournament.
Southgate is hoping to repeat his 2018 success with another extended run in this summers Euro’s, although England are set to face a stern test in the form of old rivals, Germany, in the last-16.
While there is the distinct possibility of yet more England heartache with defeat to Joachim Low’s side, such an exit will seemingly have no bearing on Southgate’s future, the Telegraph reporting that he is set for a new deal regardless of his European Championship performance.
The report suggests that while his current contract is set to run until the end of the World Cup in Qatar in December 2022, the FA are looking to extend that deal until at least the next Euros in Germany in 2024.
That extension is likely to take place regardless of Tuesday’s result against the Germans, with Southgate – who received a contract extension after his impressive showing in 2018 – set to have been offered a new deal even if England had not made it out of the group stage.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham insisted that Southgate has his “unwavering support”, while he also revealed that he “would love him to carry on, beyond this contract.”
Although the current England boss has navigated his side through a competitive group to reach the knockout stages, picking up two wins and a draw to finish top of the group, he has come in for criticism for his pragmatic approach, particularly during the goalless draw with Scotland.
With a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal, the general consensus is that Southgate should be able to take the Three Lions deep into the tournament, with an early exit set to heap huge public pressure on his position, despite the seemingly strong backing of his superiors.
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