Gareth Southgate said he will talk “to the right people” before making a decision on his future as England manager.
The Three Lions were beaten in a European Championship final for the second time in three years, as Mikel Oyarzabal slid in to score an 86th-minute winner and give Spain a 2-1 victory in Berlin.
After a cagey, goalless first-half, Nico Williams fired Spain in front as England made an awful start to the second period, but Cole Palmer came off the bench to equalise with a superb finish and spark hope of yet another comeback from Southgate’s side.
It was not to be, though, and inevitably the England boss was asked about his future after the match, and whether he wants to lead the side through to the next World Cup in 2026. Southgate’s current contract expires in December, though the FA are believed to be keen on agreeing a new deal.
“I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that,” Southgate told ITV.
“I’ve got to talk to the right people. It’s just not for now.”
The 58-year wait goes on for the Three Lions, who have not won a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.
England struggled for performances throughout Euro 2024, having to come from behind in the knockout stage against Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham did not consistently produce their best form, despite delivering big moments to prevent a premature tournament exit.
Kane was replaced on the hour mark in the final, and it was put to Southgate that his captain, and the team as a whole, may have run out of steam physically.
“There’s no hiding from the fact we had a lot of issues coming into the tournament,” Southgate said.
“We’ve managed to deal with most of them, we managed to get Luke [Shaw] on tonight. But in the end we’ve fallen short.”
The focus will now shift to the World Cup in two years and beyond that a Euros on home soil, regardless of whether Southgate is still in the England dugout.
After eight years in charge, two European Championship finals and runs to the quarter-finals and semi-finals at World Cups, Southgate insisted that the current England squad are well-placed to finally get over the line on the biggest stage in the years to come.
“England are in a really good position, in terms of the experiences they’ve got now,” he said.
“The age of the squad, most of this squad is going to be around not only for the World Cup but the next Euros as well.
“There’s a lot to look forward to, but at this moment that’s not any consolation.”
