This summer will bring the 2024 European Championship, which is set to be hosted by Germany. The tournament is scheduled to take place between June 14 and July 14 and will be a must-see event for soccer fans.
A total of 24 countries will compete across the 10 different cities where the matches are being played. One of the hot favorites to win the trophy is England, according to the current Euro odds.
They are up there with host nation Germany and France among the sides considered most likely to succeed. That is not undeserved either, as England came through their qualifying group without losing a single game.
Much of the praise for the turnaround in their fortunes since 2018 has gone to manager Gareth Southgate. There are strong rumors that this could be his last hurrah in charge of the team though.
Post Euros Future in Doubt
The future of the manager is in some doubt as England prepare for this tournament. There has long been a feeling that it would mark the final one for Southgate but nothing is certain.
He was considering quitting as England boss after the disappointing quarter-final loss to France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but was persuaded by the English Football Association (FA) to stay on. A December 2022 announcement confirmed that, but only until after Euro 2024.
Even a smooth ride through the qualifying group did nothing to dispel the belief that Southgate would exit after the tournament ended, but now the man himself has called that into question. Talking to the UK sports media ahead of it starting, the 53-year-old has stated that he will see how his team performs before making a final decision.
Another factor that leaves the issue up in the air is that the FA has made it clear it wishes him to remain in the job, regardless of how the results go for England in Germany. This may have some who have not followed the progress of Southgate and England closely over the past six years wondering why they are so keen to keep him.
What is it about the Southgate era for England that has many deeming it a triumph that must be allowed to continue?
Southgate’s Tenure as Manager
Gareth Southgate was appointed the manager of the England national team at a particular low point for the country. He was initially made temporary manager in 2016 after Sam Allardyce has resigned in disgrace following allegations of malpractice.
England had just begun their qualifying group matches for the 2018 World Cup and Southgate steered them successfully through these. He was made permanent manager mid-way through and then led his team to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
That was the team’s first semi-final since 1990 and there were some memorable performances and results along the way. The penalty shootout victory against Colombia helped to lay some personal ghosts for Southgate, while the comfortable 2-0 win over a good Swedish side in the quarter-finals showed on-field progression.
They would improve on that during the subsequent Euro 2020 tournament. England got to their first major tournament final since they won the World Cup in 1966 and only lost out to Italy on penalties.
The late goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane that saw off old rivals Germany were a highlight, while the whole country dreamed for an hour in the final after Luke Shaw put England ahead. Southgate’s contribution is about more than just results though.
Regeneration and Culture
He has regenerated England as an international force, bringing through a new generation of stars. Among the players to shine under his command are Sterling, Kane, Jack Grealish and Declan Rice. His coaching created a genuine ‘golden generation’ for England.
Southgate has also managed to improve the culture around the England team. His honorable personality has detoxified the relationship between the team and the press, making everyone in the country rally behind the side. He has also carefully steered his players through cultural storms like that of the summer of 2020 without alienating people.
Southgate is sometimes criticized for being overly defensive and not tactically sophisticated. A semi-final and final from the three tournaments he has led England through is a strong record though. .
The Future
If Southgate does leave the England job after the tournament, there are plenty of other football jobs he could take up. Some reports have linked him with the Manchester United managerial position, but Erik ten Hag remains in post and it seems an unlikely fit. Chelsea has a vacancy and that is a further possibility.
Opinion is divided on Gareth Southgate, but his England record is mostly an impressive one and they should try to keep him.
