Euro 2024: England expect Southgate to deliver after painful near misses

Nearly a decade after he began repairing England's tarnished reputation, Gareth Southgate is nearing his endgame with the opportunity to restore his legacy by winning Euro 2024.

Going into what is likely to be his final major tournament as England boss, the stakes are high for Southgate.

England have never won the European Championship and are still waiting for Southgate to deliver a major trophy after several agonizing near misses.

The 53-year-old's contract with the Football Association expires at the end of this year and he is yet to agree a new deal.

Southgate has been linked with Manchester United, who are still considering Erik ten Hag's future after his difficult second season ended with an unexpected FA Cup triumph.

United could call on Southgate although, 15 years after his last club job at Middlesbrough, he has hinted retirement could also be an option if England return from Germany with the trophy.

“I have never spoken with a club in my entire tenure. I think it would be disrespectful to the position I hold,” he said.

“The reality is that we are completely focused on this tournament. I have worked in this building for over 10 years and yes, the ambition was to win a tournament.

“So we don’t have to consider anything until we do that.” And if we succeed, maybe I'll retire and do nothing anyway.

Southgate's men will start the Euros firmly established as one of the main contenders and are expected to progress through Group C, where they will face Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.

That elevated status contrasts sharply with England's low ebb when Southgate took over eight years ago after a series of humiliations on and off the field.

A dismal Euro 2016 exit against Iceland ended Roy Hodgson's England reign, while his successor, Sam Allardyce, lasted just 67 days and one match before being sent off after a sting. newspaper.

A surprise run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia gave Southgate credibility with previously skeptical fans.

He followed that impressive feat by leading England to their first major final for 55 years at the Covid-delayed European Championship in 2021.

Although Southgate has made England a formidable team, he is yet to win the silverware his football-obsessed country has dreamed of since Bobby Moore won the World Cup in 1966.

The England women's team's success in winning the Euros in 2022 and reaching the World Cup final last year has only increased the men's team's hunger for success.

“Strong connection” The 2018 World Cup campaign ended with a 2–1 defeat to Croatia in the last four after England lost the lead, while Italy recovered from Luke Shaw's opening goal for the defeated on penalties in the Euro final at a shocked Wembley.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, England performed admirably in their quarter-final against France before collapsing as tensions mounted.

Beaten 2-1 after Harry Kane missed a late penalty, Southgate escaped without the scathing criticism that so often accompanied England's previous outings.

Yet not only did England lose again when the stakes were highest, but the feeling persisted that Southgate had failed to make the most of the talent at his disposal.

The England boss, hailed as a fashion icon for donning a debonair waistcoat at the 2018 World Cup, will be eager to allay suspicions he loses his cool when the pressure mounts.

Southgate must allow his attackers to show the full extent of their talent in Germany after accusations his cautious tactical approach is preventing players from expressing themselves.

Although there are concerns over England's defensive weaknesses, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are among the stars who could lead them to Euro glory.

A nation hungry for success expects big things and Southgate has a glorious climax in mind.

“It’s a moment that unites people, it’s one of the great privileges of being involved in international football,” he said.

“Seven or eight years ago, the feeling wasn't quite the same. But now I think there is a strong connection, there is an enthusiasm.

“I think people like the way the players play. And we hope we can take everyone on another brilliant journey.

smg/jw/bsp

© Agence France-Presse