The FA will double-down on their attempts to keep Gareth Southgate as England boss

The Football Association will redouble its efforts to keep Gareth Southgate amid reservations about local alternatives, as optimism grows that the England boss will stay.

Southgate has admitted he is considering retiring following his team’s World Cup exit, with his future to be decided during talks with FA technical director John McDermott and chief executive Mark Bullingham in early 2023.

But according to well-placed sources, there is growing hope in the governing body that Southgate is ready to lead the team into their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign which begins with a trip to Italy in March.

There is growing optimism that Gareth Southgate will remain as England manager

Ahead of Qatar 2022, there was strong sentiment within the FA that Southgate would step down after the World Cup.

But it is understood that there is no longer that feeling of resignation that Southgate had, with more recent signs much more positive.

The FA is desperate for Southgate to stay on as England manager, but his post-tournament comments saying he needed time to consider his future raised concerns that the 52-year-old was seriously considering leaving.

Well aware of the possibility of Southgate pulling out, the FA have already started the process of identifying possible replacements.

Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that the FA, which has appointed Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman as head coach of the senior women’s team, would be willing to appoint a foreign manager should Southgate leave.

Southgate insisted he needs time to consider his future after England’s World Cup exit.

Dutch coach Sarina Weigman is the current head coach of the England women’s national team.

Ideally, of course, the organization would prefer to name an Englishman to replace Southgate, but there are fears about the viability of the local managers they could realistically name.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe are seen as the top English managers in the Premier League but it is understood that both are unlikely to leave their current roles.

Steven Gerrard is available but struggled to make an impact at Aston Villa before being sacked earlier this season. Frank Lampard could emerge as a contender, but he only joined Everton in January.

The lack of viable English contenders is a scenario that FA decision-makers are well aware of.

Steven Gerrard has become an option for the FA, should Southgate decide to leave

Northern Ireland’s Brendan Rodgers, Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino and Germany’s Thomas Tuchel are among the foreign candidates likely to be considered if an Englishman is not named.

But there are internal concerns, given England’s political history with Northern Ireland, Argentina and Germany, that the appointment of any of the aforementioned trios could unsettle supporters.

However, the FA are increasingly hopeful that Southgate will stay on until at least Euro 2024.