England boss Gareth Southgate non-committal on future after Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain
- His contract expires in December and it is unclear whether he will sign an extension that would cover tournaments such as the 2026 World Cup
Gareth Southgate is leaving his future as England manager up in the air after his team’s 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Southgate’s contract expires in December and it is unclear whether he would sign an extension that covered coming tournaments such as the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that,” Southgate told UK broadcaster ITV after the final. “I’m going to talk to the right people. It’s just not for now.”
Southgate’s eight years in charge have seen him become the first manager of the England men’s team to reach two finals and the first to reach one outside England – but their only trophy remains the 1966 World Cup.
At the final whistle against Spain, Southgate stood alone with his hands on his hips before going to congratulate Spain’s coaches. He then walked through a crowd of joyful Spanish players and criss-crossed the field to commiserate with his players individually.
Southgate was once idolised by England supporters who sang about him being “the one” amid his team’s runs to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final, after England had not reached a semi-final since the 1990s.
