Gareth Southgate has ended speculation about his immediate future by confirming he will continue as England’s manager.
Following England’s elimination from the World Cup in Qatar, Southgate admitted he was “conflicted” about continuing and said that “huge sections of the last 18 months have been challenging.”
FA Official Statement
Despite rumours that he would wait until after the holidays to decide his future, the FA has officially confirmed that he will stay in his current position, where he is contracted until 2024, after the Euros.
According to a statement from the FA, “We are thrilled to inform that Gareth Southgate is continue as England manager and will head our Euro 2024 campaign.”
“We have always supported Gareth and (assistant) Steve Holland and are now beginning to plan for the Euros.”
England’s qualification for Euro 2024 begins in March with a trip to Italy, the defending champion of Europe, followed by a home game against Ukraine.
Gareth Southgate stays!
The FA confirm that the England manager will continue his role and lead the Three Lions' Euro 2024 campaign. pic.twitter.com/i7MbnYhHQ9
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 18, 2022
England under Gareth Southgate
After serving as caretaker manager for England for two months after Sam Allardyce’s departure, Southgate was named the team’s permanent manager in November 2016.
The former defender, who played 57 times for England, was appointed as the team’s fourth permanent manager in as many years.
He has created a team that is considered a credible contender for big prizes on the field and has given tremendous consistency to the England camp over the past six years.
In 81 games as head coach, Southgate has won 49 and lost 14. However, his record as the Three Lions manager includes six knockout games in significant tournaments, the same number of victories England enjoyed in the 48 years before his appointment.
But despite the rising expectations, Southgate has yet to bring home the trophy.
In the last four of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, his team lost to Croatia 2-1 despite having a 1-0 lead, and England lost to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final despite having a 1-0 lead as well.
England was demoted from its Uefa Nations League group after three losses and three draws.
But after drawing with the United States and defeating Iran and Wales, England won their group and easily defeated Senegal in the round of 16.
Their adventure ended when France defeated them 2-1, and captain Harry Kane missed a late penalty after previously scoring to tie Wayne Rooney for the most goals scored for England.
The senior England team has 174 goals scored and 57 goals allowed under Southgate. In exactly a third of his games as manager, the Three Lions have scored three or more goals on 27 occasions.
