Gareth Southgate will stay on as England manager, according to reports, after he had considered walking away under mounting criticism.
The Telegraph reports that the 52-year-old former Middlesbrough manager has not yet told the English Football Association that he wants to remain in the position, and has come to his decision after taking time to consider his future with England having being knocked out of the Qatar World Cup by France.
England lost 2-1 to France in the quarter-final stage, which comes after reaching the final of the European Championships last year.
The paper reports that the England manager had previously decided that he would step down from the role, regardless of his team’s performance in the Middle East, thinking that he was not sufficiently popular to remain in place.
Southgate had become disappointed with the reception he got from press and fans after England underwhelmed in last year’s Nations League last summer, with a low point coming when Hungary beat England 4-0.
He had become worried that criticism coming his way was distracting his side and he was unsure if he should remain as manager. However England acquitted themselves well in Qatar, only being knocked out when they came up against one of the tournament’s eventual finallsts.
The FA, though, had wanted Southgate and his assistant manager, Steve Holland, to stay on, with the European Championships coming up again in 2024, in Germany.
Southgate’s current deal lasts until the end of 2024, and qualifying for the tournament begins in March against Italy.
The Telegraph relayed the change in atmosphere with Southgate from a source saying: “The landscape is different to June.
“The concern was the negativity would inhibit the team and Gareth wasn’t sure staying would be an option.”
Southgate now appears likely to stay, having made a swift decision to give England time to plan for the future.
