(Football news) Gareth Southgate is expected to sign a contract extension with the Three Lions which would see the England manager remain at the helm until Euro 2024 in Germany. The former Middlesbrough manager has been in charge of the national team since November 2016 and last signed an improved four-year deal after the 2018 World Cup which will expire at the end of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Under his managerial reign, England reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 and the final of Euro 2020 but have failed to take that final step to secure a coveted trophy. On Friday evening, Southgate’s team convincingly defeated Albani 5-0 with England just needing a point more to secure qualification for next year’s World Cup.
In an interview with ITV, Southgate said after the match “We need a point. We're not done and it would be wrong for my attention to be anywhere else but that. My job is to get this team into a World Cup and then we can look at everything else after that. It's irrelevant for me. I'm under contract, I'm not out of contract and I'm very well supported here, I've said that all along. My focus is just getting this qualification done and everything else can wait."
When asked about his manager’s future, England captain Harry Kane said “Me and a lot of the lads love Gareth. We want him to stay as long as possible. But it's his personal decision, we'll back him whatever he does. We'll enjoy tonight and let's get one more win on Monday then we can enjoy what has been a fantastic year."
England are almost certain to qualify for the tournament and will face San Marino in their final Group I World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, 16th November at 1:15 am IST. A draw will be enough for Southgate’s team to secure passage into the World Cup in Qatar as the Three Lions are currently unbeaten at the top of the group.
