Gareth Southgate will lead England until 2024 Euro Championship

• Gareth Southgate will continue as England manager for 2024 EURO Championships.
• Mark Bullingham said he was “thrilled” to keep Southgate on board.
• England lost to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final.

The Football Association (FA) announced on Sunday that Gareth Southgate will continue to lead England through the 2024 European Championships.

In response to England‘s 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal elimination, Southgate admitted he was torn about staying in the position. His current contract, which was set to expire in December 2024, has been extended, and he will continue to lead England in what will be his fourth major championship as manager.

The 52-year-old, who was hired in 2016, guided the Three Lions to their first-ever European Championship final in 2021 and the World Cup semifinals in 2018.

In a statement, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said, “We are thrilled to confirm that Gareth Southgate is continuing as England manager and will head our Euro 2024 campaign.”

“We have always supported Gareth and Steve Holland (assistant manager wholeheartedly), and our preparation for the Euros has already begun,” he continued.

The former defender, who played 57 times for England, has so far won 49 and lost 14 of his 81 games in charge. However, his record as the Three Lions manager includes six knockout games in significant tournaments, which is the same number of victories England enjoyed in the 48 years prior to his appointment.

Southgate has failed to produce the trophy that has been so eagerly anticipated, despite the rising expectations placed on his team. 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.

Following a string of unsuccessful performances, Southgate had faced harsh criticism in the months leading up to this year’s FIFA World Cup. After losing twice to Hungary, drawing twice with Germany, and losing and drawing with Italy in the Nations League, he was demoted to League B, raising severe concerns about his future.

Even after the team’s World Cup run to the round of eight received excellent feedback, Southgate insisted he needed time to contemplate before deciding on the best course of action.

After their 2-1 loss to France, he commented, “I think I’ve needed time to make the right decisions everytime I end these tournaments.”

“You experience so many different emotions on a daily basis. These competitions require a tremendous amount of energy. Whatever it is, I want to make the best choice for the team, England, and the FA. I need to be certain that whatever choice I make is the best one,” he continued.

From 2013 to 2016, Southgate oversaw the England Under-21 team. From 2006 to 2009, he served as the manager of Middlesbrough.

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