London: Almost a decade after starting to burnish England’s reputation, Gareth Southgate approaches his final game with a chance to burnish his legacy by winning Euro 2024.
In what is likely to be his last major tournament as England boss, the stakes are high for Southgate.
England have never won the European Championship and are still looking for a major trophy under Southgate after some heavy losses.
Southgate has been linked with Manchester United considering Eriksson’s future after a troubled second season ended with an unexpected FA Cup triumph.
United could appeal to Southgate, but 15 years after his last club spell with Middlesbrough, he has hinted that retirement is also a possibility if England return from Germany with the trophy.
“I think it will be disrespectful to my position.”
“Luckily, we are focused on this race. I have been in this building for more than 10 years and the desire to win the race.
“If we can do that, maybe I’ll just retire and do nothing.”
Southgate’s men will start the Euros established as one of the leading contenders and should progress through Group C, where they face Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
This high status is in stark contrast to England’s downward spiral eight years ago after Southgate was repeatedly insulted on and off the pitch.
Euro 2016 against Iceland marked a disappointing end to Roy Hodgson’s England reign, with his successor Sam Allardyce lasting 67 days and one game before the newspapers were turned off.
A surprise run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia has given Southgate confidence among previously skeptical fans.
He followed up his incredible run at the Covid-delayed European Championships in 2021 by taking England to their first major final for 55 years.
Although Southgate has made England a team to worry about again, he has not won silverware for his football-obsessed nation since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup in 1966.
England expects Southgate to deliver at Euro 2024 after painful near misses
