England’s players are desperate for Gareth Southgate to stay on as manager beyond the end of Euro 2024, with midfielder Declan Rice urging his teammates to “do something special for him” in Sunday’s final against Spain.
Southgate is managing at his fourth major tournament having taken over following Sam Allardyce’s short-lived reign in 2016 but his future beyond this summer remains uncertain.
The 53-year-old’s contract expires in December and on the eve of the tournament he suggested he was likely to stand down if England did not go all the way in Germany.
Having weathered a storm of criticism early in the campaign, however, Southgate has steered the Three Lions to their second successive European Championship final - and first ever men’s final overseas.
The Football Association are keen for Southgate to stay on until the 2026 World Cup, regardless of the result against an impressive Spain in Berlin this weekend, and asked whether the players felt the same, Rice said: “Yes, for sure.
“I woke up to the news this morning of reports that they [the FA] are set for him to stay until 2026.
“This journey he has been on has been so special. Hopefully we can do something special for him on Sunday. I know for a fact, the lads would love him to stay on until 2026, there is no doubt about that."
No England men’s manager has ever led the country into five major tournaments and Southgate has, throughout his tenure, said he is wary of overstaying his welcome.
He has also been heavily linked with the Manchester United job in recent times and is known to be well-regarded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, the club’s part-owners, for all they have just handed Erik ten Hag a new contract.
“The way he looks after us, how calm he is, how he is as a man-manager, how he is on the training pitch with us, he’s top.”
Rice added: “None of us have spoken to him about it, that’s none of our business. Whatever he wants to do, whatever makes him happy, I’m sure he’ll make the right decision. But I’m sure he’s got the backing of everyone to stay.”
Speaking at England’s Blankenhain base before travelling to Berlin, Rice admitted he was still hurt by watching Italy lift the trophy at Wembley after their penalty shootout victory in the final three years ago.
He has, however, since then claimed European silverware of his own, captaining West Ham to Europa Conference League glory last June, and says there are lessons to take from that game ahead of the showdown at the Olympiastadion.
“That was, to this day, one of the best days of my life,” Rice added. “There’s a chance to have that again.
“Again, a final that was brutal, was tough, was like a rollercoaster. Going 1-0 up, then going 1-1 five minutes later and then scoring a late winner.
“There’s so much you can take. All finals are always tight, always tense. The lads know this is go-time. This is do-or-die. We’re not going to leave anything in the changing room.
“We’re ready to change our lives, to change everyone’s lives in the country forever. We’re really hungry for it.”
