Gareth Southgate makes major admission over his future with England amid Manchester United speculation

Gareth Southgate’s is out of contract with England in December (Picture: Getty)

Gareth Southgate admits he is unlikely to remain in charge of England beyond the summer should he fail to steer his side to Euro 2024 glory.

The 53-year-old took over the reins from Sam Allardyce in 2016 and guided the national team to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, before missing out on silverware at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

This summer, England enter the European Championships as one of the hot favourites to clinch the title, with Southgate boasting an attack to rival any other in the international game.

However, the Three Lions flattered to deceive in a lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Iceland – a team ranked 72 in the world – in their final warm-up game and Southgate will be hoping for a much-improved performance this weekend as his players kick off their group-stage campaign versus Serbia.

As he prepares to lead England into his fourth major tournament at the helm, Southgate has allowed his contract to run down into its final six months – and the FA are keen for the former Middlesbrough manager to sign an extension.

But speaking to German publication Bild, Southgate – who has been heavily linked with Manchester United – dropped the biggest hint yet that he could be set for a fresh challenge after eight years with England.

‘If we don’t win, I probably won’t be here anymore. Therefore, it might be the last chance,’ Southgate said.

Southgate and the England squad touched down in Germany on Monday (Picture: Getty)

‘I think around half the national coaches leave after a tournament – that’s the nature of international football.

‘I’ve been here for almost eight years now and we’ve come close. You can’t constantly put yourself in front of the public and say, “A little more please”, because at some point people lose faith.

‘If we want to be a great team and I want to be a top coach, you must deliver in  big moments.’

Southgate has been linked with United, with Ten Hag’s future still unresolved (Picture: Getty)

Asked whether he had the option to sign a contract extension before the tournament, Southgate replied: ‘No. The reason is that there would have been more criticism, which would have put more pressure on the team.

‘England did that once before with Fabio Capello [before the 2010 World Cup] and there was a big drama before the tournament.

‘It’s better to check yourself after the tournament.’

Kane and Co kick-start their campaign against Serbia on Sunday (Picture: Getty)

Southgate is confident England have the quality and experience in their squad to compete with the very best in Germany.

‘We have a great depth in the squad, especially in attack,’ he continued.

‘The team has developed further since the last World Cup and gained more experience.’

According to Southgate, the constant pressure Harry Kane faces at Bayern Munich can only stand the England captain in good stead when it comes to international football.

‘For him, the experience and the adjustment of playing for a big club where you have to win every week is good,’ the England head coach went on.

‘Our players have to feel that – because that is our world.

‘Every time we draw, or even when we win and don’t play well, it’s a drama. The more our players understand that, the better it is.’

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