Gareth Southgate has offered a candid glimpse into his future as England manager, suggesting that failure to deliver success at the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament could potentially mark the end of his tenure with the Three Lions.
In an interview with German publication Bild, Southgate candidly acknowledged the pressure he faces to produce results, stating, “If we don’t win, I probably won’t be here anymore. It might be the last chance.”
The 52-year-old, who has been at the helm of the England national team since 2016, understands the precarious nature of international management, adding, “I think about half of the national coaches leave after a tournament – that’s the nature of international football.”
Southgate’s comments come as England prepares to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against the formidable opposition of Belgium on June 12th, in what promises to be a crucial opening match for the Three Lions in Group A, which also includes Croatia and Ukraine.
Having come tantalizingly close to glory in recent major tournaments, with a semi-final finish at the 2018 World Cup and a runner-up finish at Euro 2020, Southgate acknowledges the mounting pressure to deliver tangible success.
“I’ve been here for almost eight years now and we’ve come close,” he said, “so I know that you can’t keep standing in front of the public and saying ‘please do a little more’, because at some point, people will lose faith in your message.”
Southgate’s pragmatic outlook on his future underscores the high stakes and expectations surrounding the England team, with the former defender emphasizing the need for top coaches to deliver in crucial moments.
“If we want to be a big team and I want to be a top coach, then you have to deliver in the big moments,” Southgate stated, leaving little doubt about the importance he places on achieving success at Euro 2024.
As England prepares to face Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia in the group stage, Southgate’s words serve as a reminder of the immense pressure and scrutiny that accompanies the role of leading one of international football’s most prestigious national teams.
With the weight of a nation’s expectations on their shoulders, the Three Lions will undoubtedly be determined to prove their worth and silence any doubters, while Southgate himself faces the ultimate test of his managerial acumen on the grandest of stages.
