Gareth Southgate vowed not to “underestimate” England's opponents at Euro 2024 but admitted the draw landed reasonably favourably.
The Three Lions manager watched on in Hamburg as his side were drawn in Group C against Slovenia, Serbia and Denmark for next summer’s European Championships in Germany.
They avoided Croatia, Italy and the Netherlands in a relatively forgiving draw.
England will kick-off their campaign against Serbia – a team they have never previously faced at senior level – in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday 16 June, 2024.
After reaching the final of the delayed Euro 2020 and losing only in a gut-wrenching penalty shootout at Wembley, England are again one of the favourites for the tournament.
Winning Group C would see them avoid playing another group winner until the semi-final stage but, naturally, Southgate was eager to focus on merely getting through the first stage.
“Certainly when Denmark came out and you could still have Denmark, Croatia and Italy or something like that, then you’re wondering where its heading,” he said.
“But then of course you have to be very careful not to underestimate the opponents you have.
“I’ve been fortunate, as a coach and as a player I’ve been to eight tournaments, and I’ve seen a lot of teams who were fancied and well-ranked going into tournaments not deliver and not get out of their group.
“We have to have the humility to start again.”
He added: “A new tournament is a new challenge and our first objective is to get out the group again.”
