Football: Southgate rewarded for England progress with new deal until 2024
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Gareth Southgate has transformed his team into serious contenders at major tournaments after years of underachievement.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Published Nov 22, 2021, 08:55 PM
LONDON (AFP) - Gareth Southgate has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension after leading England to the final of Euro 2020, the Football Association announced on Monday (Nov 22).
Reports in recent weeks suggested the 51-year-old was set to sign a new deal, which had been due to end after the Qatar World Cup late next year.
"The FA is delighted to confirm Gareth Southgate and (assistant) Steve Holland have signed new contracts through to December 2024," the FA said in a statement.
"Southgate, who marks five years in charge at the end of this month, has overseen a period of positive progress, guiding England to a Fifa World Cup semi-final and Uefa Nations League third place before securing the best men's performance in 55 years with the Uefa Euro final this summer."
The new deal means the England boss will oversee qualification for Euro 2024, which is being held in Germany.
"I am delighted that Steve and I have been able to extend our stay in our respective roles," said the former Middlesbrough boss. "It remains an incredible privilege to lead this team."
"We have a great opportunity in front of us and I know they and the fans are all excited about what this squad could achieve in future," he added.
Southgate, a former England international defender, took the England reins in 2016 after Sam Allardyce's reign ended after just one match in the wake of a newspaper sting.
Months earlier Roy Hodgson's England suffered humiliation at Euro 2016, crashing out at the hands of minnows Iceland in the last 16.
His side, combining exciting attacking talent with a solid defensive base, came agonisingly close to ending their trophy drought at this year's Euro 2020 but lost to Italy on penalties at Wembley.
<p>(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 11, 2021 England fans cheer on their team outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between England and Italy in northwest London. - England must play their next home match in a UEFA competition behind closed doors following disorder at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, European football's governing body ruled on October 18, 2021. The showpiece game between England and Italy on July 11 was marred by chaotic scenes as ticketless supporters forced their way through security cordons to gain entry to the stadium. (Photo by Niklas HALLE'N / AFP)</p>
Expectations are high that England, whose only major tournament win came at the 1966 World Cup, can mount a strong challenge at the World Cup next year, with a crop of young players who now have invaluable experience under the belts.
<p>epa09584241 England's Tyrone Mings (C) celebrates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 World Cup group I qualifying soccer match San Marino vs England at the San Marino Stadium in San Marino, Republic of San Marino, 15 November 2021. EPA-EFE/ETTORE GRIFFONI</p>
PHOTO: ANSA
Their challenge will potentially be complicated by a lack of preparation time.
The Premier League announced this month it would pause the season after the weekend of November 12-13, with the World Cup kicking off just over a week later.
Most pre-tournament camps would allow time for several warm-up fixtures but the scheduling means Southgate is not expecting to play a friendly before the World Cup.
