Gareth Southgate, the England manager, is contemplating whether it is the right decision for both him and the team for him to continue in his role following another European Championship final defeat. This disappointment echoes the nation’s first appearance in a men’s continental final against Italy in 2020. Once again, penalties proved to be England’s downfall, as they lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final. This time, it was Spain who emerged as the victors in a hard-fought 2-1 match, with substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the winning goal just four minutes before the final whistle.
Southgate now faces the decision of whether this will be his last tournament as England manager, as his contract expires in December. When questioned about his future, Southgate responded by saying that now is not the time to discuss it and that he needs to speak with the right people before making a decision. He acknowledged that falling short in another final is painful and that there are many factors to consider when deciding what is best for both himself and the team.
This is not the first time that Southgate has contemplated not outstaying his welcome as England manager. After England’s exit from the 2022 World Cup at the quarter-final stage, Southgate took a few days to decide on his future. The Football Association has expressed a desire for him to stay, but there have been doubts in Germany about whether he will continue in his role. The boos and beer cups thrown at Southgate during the group stage draws with Denmark and Slovenia heightened these doubts.
For Southgate, this journey as England manager has been an emotional rollercoaster. Despite being frequently ridiculed, he has experienced highs in knockout stages before succumbing to disappointment against Spain. In reflecting on the final, Southgate admitted that England did not keep possession of the ball well enough and struggled to play through Spain’s counter-press. Ultimately, not having enough possession of the ball led to their downfall and punishment.
Southgate’s decision-making and England’s performance will undoubtedly be analyzed in detail following the final. One decision that has raised eyebrows is the substitution of captain Harry Kane in the 61st minute. Although Kane finished as joint top goalscorer at Euro 2024 with three goals, concerns were raised about his fitness after sustaining a back issue towards the end of the season. Southgate acknowledged that some players were not at their physical peak during the tournament due to the toll of extra time and the intensity of the competition.
In conclusion, Gareth Southgate finds himself at a crossroads as he contemplates whether to continue as England manager. The disappointment of another final defeat, combined with physical limitations among key players, has led to questions about Southgate’s future. The decision he makes will have significant implications for both him and the team as they look to build on their recent successes.