FA make decision on Gareth Southgate contract extension ahead of Euro 2024 final

The English Football Association have reportedly made a decision on Gareth Southgate’s future ahead of this weekend’s Euro 2024 final.

On Sunday night, Southgate will lead the Three Lions to back-to-back Euro finals as they take on Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Ahead of the tournament, Southgate admitted Euro 2024 could be his last chance to win a trophy as England boss.

He told German news outlet BILD: “If we don’t win, I probably won’t be here anymore. So maybe it is the last chance.

“I think around half the national coaches leave after a tournament — that’s the nature of international football.”

Southgate added: “I’ve been here almost eight years now and we’ve come close. You can’t constantly put yourself in front of the public and say, ‘A little more please’, as at some point people lose faith.”

Now, ahead of the final against Spain, it has been claimed that the FA have made a decision regarding Southgate’s future.

As reported by The Telegraph, the FA want Southgate to remain as England manager whether they win or lose the final on Sunday.

Getty

The report stated: “Southgate’s contract runs until December with talks over his future past then shelved until after the Euros.

“But the FA chiefs want Southgate to extend his contract and lead England into the 2026 World Cup, regardless of how they fare against Spain.”

It is believed that the FA will view Euro 2024 as another success even if they fail to lift the trophy. A full review is said to take place once the tournament comes to a close.

Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the FA said last month: “I would say I think the world of Gareth, I think he has done a phenomenal job. I think he has transformed the fortunes of our team, and that’s not just off the pitch, and you can see the culture, but also the performances on the pitch.

“Since 1966, he has won about half of our knockout games, which is a measure we really use, so we value him massively.”