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For the seventh time, England bowed out of the World Cup in the quarter-final stage. In the aftermath of their 2-1 defeat to France, Gareth Southgate in pondering his future with the Three Lions.
Since taking in 2016, Southgate has transformed England. They have gone from underachievers to genuine contenders, going far into knockout competitions.
Their semi-final appearance four years ago could have been called a fluke but a similar placement in the inaugural UEFA Nations League suggested otherwise. All such notions were removed as an adjective for them as they made it to the final of Euro 2020.
Southgate has forged together a core group of players that can serve the Three Lions for years to come. However, he is unsure about his future in the dugout.
England has come close to success but silverware has eluded them. The pressure to deliver is high and the English press has been unforgiving at each failure, forgetting the steps taken in a positive direction.
The 52-year-old has admitted that the aftermath of England’s tournament results has been taxing on his emotional state. Sapped out of energy as well, Southgate wants to take time in deciding his future.
Proud of Southgate and England players
Lots of debate over whether Gareth Southgate should continue as England manager. My criteria is this: could anyone else have done better with this (very good) squad of players? I don’t think so, and I like the way his team plays & behaves under him.
So, I say: carry on Gareth. pic.twitter.com/nTy040ZLZe— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 11, 2022
One of the few people who have seen Southgate up close in the hot seat is Stuart Pearce. Both played for England together and have been in the England setup as well.
The retired defender has been in contact with the England manager, imploring him to continue. Pearce hailed him for his work done with the youthful crop of England and believes his presence will help get the most out of their potential.
“I’ve dropped him a text this morning just saying how proud I am of him and the squad,” Pearce told talkSPORT. “I hope he stays in post and drives this team forward because I’m so proud of them and have been in the previous tournament as well and prior to that in Russia.
“I’m so proud of all the players for what they’re achieving and also what they stand for and the togetherness and pride in the shirt as an ex-England player.
“I hope that he carries on in his role because he’s the one whose knitted this all together and it would worry me if he were to step away.
“He’ll think things out, he’s very studied in what he does. I hope fingers crossed that he stays in post.”
But Southgate is the problem… pic.twitter.com/Z5MItI40TW
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 8, 2022
Three Lions made read progress under Southgate
Alan Shearer also shared the dressing room with the former Middlesborough player and manager. The retired prolific forward admitted England fell short of winning the trophy but the progress they have made cannot be denied.
“I have no doubt at all that Gareth Southgate should stay on as England manager to take us to the 2024 European Championship,” Shearer told BBC Sport.
“I know he hasn’t delivered the trophy we wanted in Qatar, but we have to look at the bigger picture. Not only about how we have played at this tournament but also the progress we have made during his six years in charge.”
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