FA make Gareth Southgate decision 'regardless of Euro 2024 final outcome'

Gareth Southgate will be asked to stay on as England manager even if his side lose Sunday's Euro 2024 final, multiple reports have revealed.

Southgate's contract expires in December and there had been increasing calls for him to go once the Three Lions' European Championship campaign came to an end earlier this summer.

Since then, Southgate has become the first manager to guide England's men to two separate major finals, with his side embarking on a memorable knockout stage run to reach Berlin.

Several credible reports claim the FA now want Southgate to stay in his post and lead England into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

England's march to another Euros final is said to have reaffirmed the FA's belief that Southgate, who was first appointed back in 2016, is still the best candidate for the job.

There is, however, the possibility that Southgate decides to walk away from the role of his own accord after the final. He had been linked with the Manchester United job prior to their decision to keep Erik ten Hag, while Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter have been tipped to take the England hot-seat if Southgate leaves.

Southgate has been keen to take attention away from his future both prior to and during Euro 2024, though has spoken of his desire to be loved by England fans, particularly after he was pelted with beer cups by supporters earlier in the tournament.

"We all want to be loved, right?," he said after Wednesday's 2-1 win against the Netherlands. "So when you're doing something for your country and you're a proud Englishman, when you don't feel that back and when all you read is criticism, it's hard.

"To be able to celebrate a second final is very, very special. Especially with fans that travel, our travelling support is amazing.

"The amount of money they spend to travel, the commitment to do that, to be able to give them nights like this. I think we’ve given them a few over the last six years, from Russia onwards. It means a lot."

England face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday at Berlin's Olympiastadion. The Spanish national team and their club sides are unbeaten in their last 26 continental or intercontinental finals, while the Three Lions have never won the European Championships.

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