Southgate sets deadline for England decision as talks scheduled with FA chiefs

Gareth Southgate is not expected to announce a decision on his future until 2023.

Southgate is under pressure to step down as England manager after his team were knocked out of the World Cup by France. The Three Lions were among the favourites to win the tournament in Qatar, but their 56-year wait for a major honour continues.

The 52-year-old was appointed by England, initially on a temporary basis, in September 2016 and is their most successful boss since World Cup-winning coach since Sir Alf Ramsey, after he led them to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and the final of Euro 2020.

As reported by the The Telegraph, Southgate will decide whether to stay on as England boss over the Christmas period. His existing deal does not expire until after Euro 2024 in Germany, but that does not necessarily mean he will continue until December 2024.

It's believed the FA want Southgate to remain in his position following his unprecedented success. The former Middlesbrough boss is the only England manager to lead the country to a men's Euros final, where they lost on penalties to Italy at Wembley in July 2021.

The FA have reportedly not received any indication from Southgate that a decision on his future will be made before Christmas. It's understood he will use the festivities to discuss his decision with his family before showdown talks with FA chiefs.

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Southgate has pencilled in a meeting with FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott. Bullingham was quick to praise Southgate's side after their 2-1 defeat to France at the Al Bayt Stadium in the quarter-finals last Saturday.

"This is a very exciting young English squad and, despite the intense disappointment of last night, they should be very proud of their performances in Qatar," said Bullingham in a statement. "We are incredibly proud of Gareth, the players, the coaches and the support team and appreciate all the hard work they put in."

Yet it's claimed Bullingham nor the FA will stand in Southgate's way if he wants to step down. England players are said to be unsure whether their boss, who is a popular figure in the dressing room, will continue after their heart-breaking World Cup exit.

Southgate will need to make a decision by the new year regardless due to England's daunting Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, which starts in March. There are no guarantees the Three Lions will qualify after being pitted against Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta. The top two teams in that group will progress to the tournament in Germany.

It's thought the FA do not have a succession plan in place if Southgate calls it a day. English football's governing body will reportedly consider foreign candidates to succeed their current boss, with unattached Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel on their shortlist.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is said to be another candidate - while Southgate's assistant Steve Holland, Everton boss Frank Lampard and former Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard are also in the frame. It's believed Chelsea boss Graham Potter nor Newcastle coach Eddie Howe are interested in succeeding Southgate.