Areth Southgate has hinted that he might stay if England manager after Euro 2024 – provided England win the tournament.
Southgate initially refused to stay on after England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to France in December, but later agreed to honor his contract, which runs until after next summer’s European Championships.
England kick off their qualifying campaign for Germany with a tricky assignment against Italy in Naples on Thursday, before hosting Ukraine again at Wembley three days later.
Told it was his last chance to win a tournament with his country, Southgate quipped, “Well, that depends on whether we win!”
Asked if he can really stay on for the 2026 World Cup if England win in 18 months time, he added: “Let’s hope we get that chance to make that decision!”
He continued: “I think game by game and prepare the team as best as I can.
“I’ve felt for a while now that I should enjoy the experience, I think that radiates to the players when you do that. I enjoy the challenge. [Naples] is a great football city, this is a great place to come and be challenged, and we look forward to the game.
Southgate added: “The way we played in Qatar and then the disappointment of losing in the quarter-final, that’s motivation in itself.
“I was thrilled with the response from the players when they arrived this week. You can see their excitement to get back together and their enthusiasm for everything. This is one of the biggest challenges anyone can have to bring England a trophy. ”
“That’s pretty easy. The hardest part is having to wait 18 months to get to the point where you’re actually being judged.
“We have to make sure we get qualifying right. We can’t take anything for granted.”
Former Chelsea, Leeds and Netherlands striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has joined Southgate’s backroom staff as a replacement for Chris Powell.
Southgate acknowledged that he would like to have English staff, but said there were not “a large number” of black coaches with the right experience.
“There are not many black coaches at the moment who have the UEFA Pro license and the experience,” he said.
“Of course there is always the desire to develop English coaches and I spend a lot of my time delivering the Pro License and A License. In that role before we had Alan Russell who is Scottish we have Marg [Martyn Margetson, the goalkeeping coach] who is wels.
“You’d love to have an England staff across the board, but it’s strength to have other personalities as well. Jimmy will be there. He’s got a lot of energy. He has a great interest in the tactical side of the game – he’s typical Dutch, a student. I think he will add a lot to our coaching team.”
Asked if it was a shame the FA couldn’t find a suitably qualified black, England coach, Southgate added: “I didn’t say that. There are some great young coaches out there: Justin Cochrane and several others are working, but people are in club jobs . also.
“I have to be clear: I am not saying that at all. But I like what Jimmy brings and the diversity of the coaching team was key.”