Southgate Sees Euro 2024 As Potential Last Chance For England

Gareth Southgate acknowledges that Euro 2024 might be his final opportunity to lead England to victory in a major tournament if they do not win it. Southgate assumed the role of interim manager for England in September 2017 before being appointed permanently two months later. Since then, he has guided the Three Lions to the semi-final and quarter-final of the World Cup in 2018 and 2022, respectively, and they finished as runners-up to Italy in Euro 2020 on home soil.

Southgate's squad travelled to Germany on Monday ahead of their tournament opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. England are among the favourites to win the tournament, and Southgate, whose contract expires at the end of this year, was realistic about what an unsuccessful result at Euro 2024 could mean for his future. "If we don't win, I probably won't be here anymore. It might be the last chance," he said.

Travel day pic.twitter.com/zuj8dvqLcW

— England (@England) June 10, 2024

"I think about half of 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 so I know that you can't keep standing in front of the public and saying, 'please do a little more,' because at some point, people will lose faith in your message," Southgate added.

"If we want to be a big team and I want to be a top coach, then you have to deliver in the big moments." Following their game against Serbia, England will also face Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.