England Boss Southgate Suggests He Could ‘Retire’ After Euro 2024

Gareth Southgate shut down chatter about Manchester United and implied that he could retire from coaching after Euro 2024.

The England manager made it clear that his sole focus is on leading the Three Lions to continental glory at the 2024 European Championship, scheduled to take place in Germany next month. Since taking the helm, Southgate has steered England to a World Cup semi-final in 2018, a quarter-final in 2022, and the final of the Euros at Wembley in 2021, where the team narrowly lost on penalties. And this time, the manager is more determined than ever to bring home the silverware – which would be the first major honour for the Three Lions since 1966.

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During an interview at England’s St George’s Park headquarters, Southgate was asked whether it would be his decision or the Football Association’s to determine his future contract. He responded: “I imagine both. That’s always as we’ve worked.”

However, emphasising the job at hand, he added: “But, the reality of that is we focus totally on this tournament. I’ve worked in this building for over 10 years and, yeah, the ambition has been to win a tournament. So, there’s nothing for us to consider until we’ve done that. And if we can do that, maybe I’ll retire and do nothing anyway.”

Southgate vehemently denied having any talks with Manchester United, despite recent reports tying him to the manager role at the Club. He then emphasised the need of being committed to the national team.

“I’ve never spoken with a club in all my time in the job – I think that would be disrespectful to the position I hold,” he asserted.

“When you’ve worked so long and so hard for the opportunity to take your country and lead them with a chance to win something, then your focus has got to be 100% on that. And that’s where mine is.”

On June 16, England takes on Serbia in their opening game of the 2024 European Championship. Southgate’s leadership and strategic vision will be essential in guiding the Three Lions through the rigours of the campaign as they get ready for the challenges that lie ahead. The decision to leave out established players such as Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson suggests a daring strategy that places an emphasis on improving current form while incorporating fresh talent to increase the team’s overall strength. By June 7, the initial 33-man roster will be reduced to a maximum of 26 players.