Gary Neville is ‘convinced’ Gareth Southgate SHOULD stay on as England manager after World Cup exit

Gary Neville is ‘convinced’ Gareth Southgate should stay on as England manager amid continuing speculation about the 52-year-old’s involvement in the national team, but he is not sure he will stay.

Southgate said he needed time to “think” after England’s World Cup quarter-final knockout against France, and will speak to the FA.

The former Manchester United defender compared the situation when Terry Venables left the English bench after guiding them to the Euro 1996 semi-finals.

Gareth Southgate has refused to commit to England manager role after World Cup exit

Gary Neville is convinced Southgate should stay on as boss, but isn’t sure he will.

Asked if he was sure Southgate would stay, Neville told ITV1: “I’m not as convinced as I am, just because he said he wants to talk to the FA.” He could have put him to bed.

I am absolutely convinced that it should continue. We had 57% possession against France with very good margins, I think we played very well. We lost a very good manager in Terry Venables after ’96 and it went downhill from there.

“I am absolutely convinced that Gareth should continue until 2024, but I am not convinced that he will.”

Neville compared the situation to when Terry Venables resigned after the Euro 1996 loss.

Southgate led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and Euro 2020 final, but may not stick around for another major tournament after the disappointment against France.

It has led to widespread speculation about whether he should remain in the top job, who could replace him and whether nationality is a key component of a successor.

Former England boss Fabio Capello has said Southgate must stay on as England manager for Euro 2024.

Southgate have been endorsed by their own players, as well as former England manager Fabio Capello.

Debate over who could take Southgate’s place has begun, with Sportmail reporters proposing names including Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Brendan Rodgers.

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher is one of several pundits criticized for wild claims that the FA cannot consider a foreign prospect for the England manager, despite previous success under Sven Goran Eriksson, and international names being targeted as potential successors to Southgate’s crown.

The next major competition is the European Championship which will take place all over Germany in 2024. The qualification process for that tournament begins with England’s next matches as they will face Italy and Ukraine in their group.