According to Sky Sports, Gareth Southgate will sit down and talk to the FA about a new contract in November. The FA will open discussions once England’s World Cup qualifying campaign finishes.
Gareth Southgate Set for Contract Extension
The FA Are Keen to Tie Down Southgate Until 2024
Gareth Southgate’s current contract will run out in December next year, however, the FA are keen to keep Southgate. There will be a European Championship in Germany in 2024 and this could be Southgate’s last tournament as England manager.
Initially, England underperformed with Southgate as manager. However, England reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 and then the final of Euro 2020 under Southgate. The improvement in the squad means that the FA are happy to extend the contract again. Southgate previously signed an extension with an improved four-year deal in 2018 extending his stay with England. Although according to Sky Sports, the FA are aware he would like to return to club management at some point in the future. This means that the door would open for new candidates to take the role.
Speaking about his current contract, Southgate said: “I’ve got 14 months. If you can get through 14 weeks as a manager you have done well, so it really isn’t an issue.”
Depending on the results, Southgate may wish to leave the England job sooner rather than later in pursuit of club management.
England World Cup Qualifiers
England are currently clearing each hurdle with ease in the race to qualify for the 2022 world cup. They have won successive games 4-0. Another win in England’s next game will put the team on the brink of qualification. but the next opponent, Poland, will offer staunch resistance. Robert Lewandowski is a constant threat and will really test England’s usually watertight defence. The solid defence, which has kept 11 clean sheets so far in 2021, will need to be in top form.
However, reported by the Independent, Southgate claims Poland are much more than a one-man team: “Yes, we prepare some specifics around Lewandowski, but it’s the whole team we’ve got to be ready for.”
Southgate’s side are currently five points clear at the top of the table. Victory against Poland would extend England’s advantage to eight points.
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