Harry Maguire has revealed that he and the England squad want Gareth Southgate to remain as England boss – as they look to win Euro 2024.
WHAT HAPPENED?
After his fourth international tournament in Germany this summer, Southgate is expected to step down as England’s manager. The Three Lions are among the favourites to win their first title since 1966. However, Maguire says he would rather have Southgate oversee his international team than his club, amid being tipped to succeed Erik ten Hag as Manchester United’s manager.
WHAT MAGUIRE SAID
Speaking to the media, Maguire said [via The Mirror]: “Is winning the Euros a target? Yeah, definitely, obviously. We want to be successful in the Euros – we are not looking at the World Cup at the moment – but obviously, if we are successful at the Euros, which is our main focus, of course, we want to be successful.
“If Gareth’s the man to make us be successful then we want him to stay as long as possible. I’ve had a great relationship with him. I’ve been a big part of the success and the progression that we’ve shown as a country. And I’m sure he will say the same thing now, it’s all about winning a trophy.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen after the Euros, I don’t know if he knows what’s going to happen. But I feel like what he’s done from when he first took over this job to where we are at now, we’ve taken huge strides and he’s a massive part of that.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Southgate’s current contract expires in December, and he won’t talk about signing a new one until after Euro 2024. It’s usually assumed that after spending a significant amount of time in the international arena, he would desire to return to club management. Ten Hag’s future with Manchester United is uncertain, thus the 53-year-old has been connected to the dramatic move to Old Trafford, where new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes to improve things at the team.
WHAT NEXT FOR SOUTHGATE?
The England manager will be fully focused on the task on hand rather than his future with the Euro 2024 starting in less than three months. He will lead his side on Saturday, March 23 when they take on Brazil in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.
Source Goal.com
