Gareth Southgate, the manager of the England men’s football team, has addressed questions regarding his contract situation as he enters the final six months of his deal before the European Championship in Germany. Southgate, who has been in charge of the Three Lions since 2016, considered leaving the job after the World Cup quarter-final defeat by France in Qatar but ultimately decided to stay on. The Football Association is keen for Southgate to remain as manager as they look to win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Southgate insists that his contract situation is not a distraction for him. He is focused on delivering a successful tournament for England and believes that there is enough work involved in that task. He also downplayed links to the Manchester United job, stating that there will always be speculation about managers and that his focus is on Euro 2024 and going a step further than the team did in the last Euros, where they were beaten in the final by Italy.
When it comes to squad selection for Euro 2024, Southgate will have some challenges to address. While England have an abundance of attacking options, they also have injury concerns in defense, particularly at full-back. Southgate acknowledges that the extra options might help with these challenges but will decide whether a 26-man squad is the right choice. He emphasizes the importance of not taking more players than they need.
One topic that generates much discussion among supporters is how to fit all of England’s talented forwards into the starting lineup. Southgate acknowledges that it’s a nice problem to have and would rather have talent and make decisions based on form than not have those options at all. While it may be difficult to start all of the talented players, Southgate values having good players to work with and pick from.
The expectation surrounding England going into Euro 2024 is higher than usual. The team’s depth of talent, the strength of the Premier League, and their recent successes in reaching the World Cup semi-final in 2018 and the Euros final in 2021 contribute to this heightened expectation. Southgate agrees that the expectation matches the team’s capability more than it has historically and believes that there is belief within the playing group and staff due to their experiences in recent tournaments.
One player who has impressed Southgate is Jude Bellingham. The 20-year-old midfielder has shown amazing maturity since his move to Real Madrid and has had a significant impact on the team’s success. Southgate praises Bellingham’s ability to grab games and his insatiable desire to win. He believes that this mentality is what sets Bellingham apart from other players.
As the manager of the England men’s football team, Southgate is often asked to comment on topics that go beyond football. He understands his role as a statesman for the country and accepts that he will be asked to comment on various issues. While it can be unusual for him at times, Southgate recognizes the responsibility and influence that comes with his position.
Overall, Gareth Southgate remains focused on delivering a successful tournament for England in Euro 2024. Despite speculation about his future and the challenges of squad selection, he values having a talented pool of players to work with. He embraces the higher expectations placed on the team and believes in their capabilities. In addition, he praises Jude Bellingham’s maturity and desire to win. As a spokesman for the country, Southgate accepts his role and understands the influence he has.