England coach says WC results will decide his future despite contract

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Sep 17:02

England's national football team manager says signed contracts are irrelevant in football and admits that coming World Cup results will dictate his future.

England's national football team manager Gareth Southgate

England's national football team manager Gareth Southgate said that he knows that his team's results at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will dictate his future, despite his contract running until 2024.

On Friday, England were relegated to the Nations League's second tier following a 1-0 defeat to Italy in Milan.

"I am not foolish," Southgate indicated, adding, "I know ultimately I will be judged on what happens at that World Cup."

The 52-year-old coach pointed out that "contracts are irrelevant in football because managers can have three, four, five-year contracts and if results aren't good enough then you accept that's time to part ways."

"Why would I be any different? I'm not arrogant enough to think that having a contract should protect me in any way from results," he added.

Southgate led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the 2021 European Championship final.

"Of course, we understand how the mood changes with the results, and it has changed," Southgate indicated, expressing that he is "realistic about that. I'll be judged on what's delivered in Qatar and I am perfectly happy to be judged in that way."

The manager considered that "history is history. You're judged on the next match and you're judged on the next tournament," adding, "That is part of the territory. For me, it's a great challenge to lead the team through a moment like this."

It is noteworthy that England's Monday game against Germany at Wembley is their last official match before the start of the 2022 World Cup in November.