Mueez Ajao
– England manager Gareth Southgate says he will “review and reflect” on his side’s World Cup quarter-final exit with the Football Association before making a decision on his future.
– The 52-year-old, who took charge in 2016, has a contract until after the Euro 2024 finals.
– After the 2-1 loss to France, Southgate said: “These tournaments take a lot out of you and I need time to reflect.
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– “We’ve done that after every tournament and that’s the right thing to do.”
– England were set to fly home from Qatar on Sunday.
– Former England internationals Gary Neville and Ian Wright, along with ex-Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane, unanimously agreed they would like to see Southgate continue.
– Having led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final, Southgate was unable to reach the last four of a major tournament again following the agonising defeat by France in Qatar.
– “I’m so proud of what the players have done, not just tonight but through the whole tournament,” Southgate added.
– “I think the team has taken a real step forward in all areas.”
– England produced a fine performance against the reigning world champions, but could not make their superiority at key stages count and were duly punished in the last-eight tie.
– Captain Harry Kane equalised with a penalty for 1-1, but missed the chance to level again from the spot with just six minutes of normal time remaining after Olivier Giroud had netted a second for France.
– “Everybody can see the team has progressed through this tournament,” added Southgate, who was promoted from his role as England Under-21 boss six years ago.
– “I think the performances have been a very good level, [including] against one of the very best teams in the world in France.
– “We showed how close we are to that level, that we have some young players who announced themselves on a global stage and a spirit which we hoped would take us further.”
– Match-winner Giroud also spoke positively about England’s performances in Qatar, saying: “We knew the potential of this young English generation. They’ve got it all.”
– Southgate began his reign as England manager in October 2016, winning 49 of his 81 games in charge and the loss to France being his 14th.
– After a 2-1 defeat by Croatia in the last four of the 2018 World Cup in Russia was followed by another by Italy – on penalties – in the Euro 2020 final, questions were asked about Southgate’s ability to get the most out of his talented squad.
– Further concerns were raised during a poor Nations League campaign earlier this year, particularly after a humiliating 4-0 home thrashing by Hungary, where England fans chanted, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ at the manager.
– England have since recovered to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar, with Southgate earning credit for the tactical decisions that led to a 3-0 win against Senegal in the last 16.
– But he will come under more scrutiny following another disappointing exit, when many fans felt they had a squad equipped to win the trophy.
