Gareth Southgate's England contract talks, Man United links and FA stance
Gareth Southgate's England contract continues to run down as the Three Lions boss had to contend with links to the Manchester United job during Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate has a decision to make on his England future after Euro 2024 (Image: Getty)
The future of Gareth Southgate as England manager and any potential ties to Manchester United have not disrupted the Three Lions in their stride. Southgate's team are set to take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, with the 53-year-old chasing the goal of being the first-ever England manager to clinch a European Championship victory.
Despite the inevitable pressure that accompanies such a high-stakes tournament, the England squad has managed to remain unaffected by rumours regarding Southgate's tenure - his contract with the Football Association ends in December with discussions for a possible extension yet to begin.
Southgate, maintaining his focus on the tournament, has refrained from engaging in talks about his expiring contract during the competition's duration and while some suggest he'll conclude his eight-year reign after the Euros, the England boss had previously intimated that he might consider extending his international coaching commitment.
Speaking before the tournament, when asked about his future, Southgate commented: "You've got to see how the summer goes. It's as simple as that," also assuring that his contract situation would not steal any attention away from his duties during the tournament.
The Dutchman extended his stay in Manchester earlier this month (Image: Getty)
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"Well, for me, it's not an issue and never has been," Southgate went on to say. "I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there's enough work involved in that. I think everybody would expect that's where my focus should be."
He's also been thrust into the spotlight with speculation linking him to Manchester United, but he's dismissed such rumours as mere bookies' talk. Addressing the whispers of him being Sir Jim Ratcliffe's top pick for the Old Trafford hot seat, Southgate made it clear to ITV News that his focus remains solely on England's success: "I'm not a big gambling man and bookies, they can make their odds but it's not conversations that have been had with me," he said.
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"I've got one thing to focus on. That's having as successful a tournament with England as possible. Everything else outside of that is a complete irrelevance to me."
Post-tournament, Southgate acknowledges the need for a swift decision on his future, yet he insists he won't drag his feet: "We've got time to make decisions and I won't need weeks, but also I think I've earned the right to give myself a few days just to think things through. I know where it would have been if we went out in the group stage, that's for sure. I have a pretty good idea in my head."
