There is a good chance that Gareth Southgate will remain as coach of the English national team after the European Championship. It was expected that the 53-year-old coach would resign after the European Championship, but the association wants to continue with him.

English media, including the BBCwrite that The Football Association (FA) has been impressed by the way Southgate has changed the perception of the national team since taking charge in 2016.

Southgate initially served as an interim replacement for Sam Allardyce, but signed a contract in 2021 until the end of 2024. Earlier that year, the former player led England to the final of the European Championship.

Southgate was also successful as England coach in 2018. Under his leadership the Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Ultimately, France proved too strong with a 2-1 win.

In England it is considered unlikely that discussions about a possible contract extension for Southgate will only take place after the European Championship. If the Englishman decides to stay, the FA seems to agree.

“We have to see how the summer goes. It's that simple,” Southgate said last Thursday at the Nations League draw in Paris. “I know what we can achieve in the summer and what my benchmark for success is. I can't look beyond that yet.”

If Southgate stays on beyond the expiry date of his current contract (December 2024), he will become the England team's third longest-serving manager, after Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Walter Winterbottom.

In the run-up to the European Championship, England will take on Brazil, Belgium, Bosnia and Iceland in a friendly match. During the European Championship, the team was divided into a group with Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.

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