Gareth Southgate has admitted that the 2024 UEFA European Championship (Euro 2024) might be his last tournament as the manager of the England national team.
Southgate's contract is set to expire after Euro 2024, which kicks off next Friday with a match between Germany and Scotland.
Southgate believes that the 2024 edition of the European Championship could be his last as England's manager unless he can fulfill his country's dream of winning a major trophy, something the English team hasn't achieved since the 1966 World Cup.
"If we don't win (the tournament), I probably won't be here after that... So it might be the last chance... That's the nature of international football," Southgate told the German newspaper "Bild."
Under Southgate's leadership, England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup – where they lost to Croatia – and reached the final of the 2021 European Championship but lost to Italy on penalties.
England also exited the 2022 World Cup in the quarter-finals after losing to France.
"I've been here for almost eight years, and we've come close... So, I know you can't keep standing in front of the public and saying, 'Please be more patient,' because at some point people lose faith in your message... If we want to become a big team and I want to be a big coach, then you have to perform well in the important moments," Southgate said.
There have been rumors about Southgate potentially taking over as Manchester United's manager if Erik ten Hag is sacked during the break, but Southgate has so far distanced himself from the controversy surrounding his future.
