S Poddar
Gareth Southgate has assured a prompt decision regarding his role as England’s manager following the Euro 2024 final. His squad is hopeful he’ll extend his contract and lead them into the World Cup qualifiers.
The Football Association is keen for Southgate, whose contract ends this year, to continue and possibly extend his tenure to a decade. Southgate, however, prefers to wait until after the final, especially given the tournament’s unpredictable nature. He mentioned that it wouldn’t take long to decide but emphasized he deserved a few days to think things through. “It would be ridiculous to think about anything beyond this game with my emotions over the last five weeks,” Southgate said.
If England’s group stage performance had been poor, Southgate hinted he might have considered stepping down, though he indicated that it wouldn’t have been his preference. The team’s remarkable progress, however, has garnered significant support from his players, who want him to stay. Declan Rice, speaking for the squad, expressed their unanimous desire for Southgate to continue, praising his calm demeanor and excellent management skills.
Southgate revamped his squad this summer, making it one of the youngest in the tournament. This adds to the potential achievement if they win the trophy in Berlin. He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, noting that while the team’s age profile looks promising for future tournaments, nothing is guaranteed.
All players were fit for their final training session, with Kieran Trippier overcoming a groin issue. It remains uncertain whether Luke Shaw, who replaced Trippier in the last match, will start.
In his pre-match press conference, Southgate stressed the need for England to win the trophy to gain global respect. He acknowledged the historical significance of the match, recalling his missed penalty against Germany in the 1996 European Championship and humorously reflecting on his popularity in Berlin at the time. While not a believer in fairytales, he believes in dreams and is determined to turn them into reality.
Harry Kane, sitting beside Southgate, shared his eagerness to win his first major trophy, willing to trade his past achievements for a victory. Southgate highlighted that no grand speeches were needed before such a critical game, focusing instead on getting the small details right.
Declan Rice, embodying the team’s resolve, declared that the final is a make-or-break moment. The team is ready to give their all and make history, changing their lives and the lives of everyone in the country.
