Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of the English Football Association (FA), has confirmed that there is a succession plan in place should manager Gareth Southgate decide to leave this summer. However, despite rumors of interest from Manchester United, Bullingham stated that there have been no discussions with any candidates as of now. Southgate recently expressed uncertainty about his future in a recent interview, where he hinted that he might not continue as England manager if the team fails to win Euro 2024.
Southgate’s current contract is set to expire in December, but he is looking to delay talks regarding an extension until after the upcoming tournament. Sources close to the situation have revealed that the FA is keen on keeping Southgate until the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This tournament would mark a decade in charge for Southgate, who took over from Sam Allardyce in 2016. Despite rumored interest from Manchester United, Bullingham emphasized that there have been no formal approaches for Southgate’s services.
High Expectations
With England’s recent success in major tournaments, including reaching the final of the Euros in 2021 and the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, expectations are high for Southgate and his team. Bullingham acknowledged the achievements of Southgate and emphasized the importance of having a succession plan in place for key employees within the organization. He highlighted Southgate’s contribution to transforming the fortunes of the men’s senior team both on and off the pitch.
While Southgate is focused on the upcoming tournament, there is uncertainty surrounding his future beyond Euro 2024. Bullingham reiterated that the FA respects Southgate’s desire to postpone contract negotiations until after the tournament. However, he reassured that the FA has a comprehensive succession plan in place, encompassing short-term cover and a structured process for identifying potential candidates for the role of England manager.
As England prepares for the Euros, Southgate is under pressure to deliver a strong performance and potentially secure the championship. Despite the high stakes involved, Bullingham refrained from setting arbitrary benchmarks for judging Southgate’s performance. He emphasized the need to evaluate the team’s overall performance after the tournament, taking into account various factors beyond just the final result.
While there is uncertainty surrounding Gareth Southgate’s future as England manager, the FA is prepared with a succession plan in place. The focus remains on the upcoming tournament, where England will aim to build on recent successes and fulfill the high expectations set for the team. As discussions regarding Southgate’s contract extension are set to take place post-tournament, all parties involved are committed to maintaining stability and continuity in the management of the men’s senior team.
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