Gareth Southgate suggests he is set to QUIT as England boss if they don’t win the Euros – despite the FA wanting him to stay – as Man United lurk with Erik ten Hag facing the sack

Gareth Southgate has suggested he could ‘resign’ as England manager if the Three Lions do not win the 2024 European Championship this summer.

The 53-year-old’s contract expires in December, but the Football Association (FA) is keen for Southgate to remain as England boss and lead the Three Lions at the 2026 World Cup.

Southgate has previously hinted he could be tempted to stay beyond Euro 2024, despite being heavily linked with taking over Erik ten Hag as Manchester United’s next manager.

“If we don’t win, I probably won’t be here anymore,” Southgate told the German outlet BIL after his side arrived in Germany on Monday.

‘So maybe it’s the last chance. I think about half of the national coaches leave after a tournament, that is inherent to international football.

England arrived in Germany on Monday ahead of Euro 2024, while their opening match against Serbia took place on Sunday

But Southgate (right) appears to be suggesting he could resign if England do not win the European Championship this summer

‘I’ve been here almost eight years now and we’re close. You can’t constantly put yourself in front of the audience and say, “Just a little more please,” because at some point people lose confidence.

‘If we want to be a great team and I want to be a top coach, you have to perform in big moments.’

England start their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday and are backed as one of the favorites to win in Germany.

Southgate had signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract to remain as England manager after the 2021 European Championship.

The FA had also given the manager a further six months after the European Championship to decide his future, in a bid to avoid speculation causing distraction during this summer’s tournament.

“The reason is that there would have been more criticism, which would have put more pressure on the team,” Southgate told BILD, revealing why contract talks had not taken place ahead of Euro 2024.

The FA wants Southgate (second from right) to remain as England manager until the 2026 World Cup

Southgate (left) admitted that no contract talks had taken place ahead of the tournament as the FA did not want to put ‘additional pressure on his team’.

It comes after England ended their European Championship warm-up matches with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Iceland on Friday

‘England did that once before with Fabio Capello and there was a big drama prior to the tournament. It’s better to check yourself after the tournament.’

While it is widely believed that he will step down, Southgate has also previously stated that he will not decide on his future until after the European Championship.

He was appointed to the role in November 2016 and is now in his eighth year as England boss.

The 53-year-old had considered taking a step back after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where his side were knocked out of the quarter-finals by France, but it is understood he was persuaded to stay by the exciting crop of talented players who have made up his were available. .

But his contract uncertainty has not stopped rumors surrounding his future, with Man United reportedly putting Southgate on their manager shortlist amid mounting concerns over Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his leadership group will make a decision on the Dutch manager’s future at the club. Executives at Old Trafford are currently conducting a seasonal review of the team’s performance.

Manchester United could part ways with Erik ten Hag (pictured) this summer, and Southgate has emerged as one of the top candidates to take over at Old Trafford

The pressure on Ten Hag has increased amid United’s torrid season, which has seen the Red Devils slip to eighth place in the table. But the Dutchman may have given himself a reprieve after United defeated rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

While Ten Hag has brought the club two major honors in his first two seasons in charge, there has been speculation that he will be sacked, with Southgate having emerged as one of the top candidates to succeed him, alongside Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi. .

However, Southgate has spoken out about the possibility of him joining Man United. Southgate has a long-standing relationship with INEOS CEO Ratcliffe, but the England manager has admitted he is solely focused on winning the European Championship with England.

‘I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and that requires a lot of work. “I think everyone would expect that that’s where my focus should be,” he told the BBC BBC in May.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (pictured) and his leadership team are currently assessing Man United’s season and could sack Ten Hag due to his side’s indifferent form

But Southgate has previously dismissed speculation about links with Man United

‘There will always be speculation about managers because if you lose a few games you are in trouble. You win a few games and it’s a different agenda,” Southgate said.

‘But for me it is [Euro 2024] is a wonderful opportunity. We are looking forward to the tournament. My focus is on the question: how do we go a step further than during the last euro? [when they were beaten on penalties in the final by Italy].