Gareth Southgate has put an end to uncertainty over his long-term future by deciding to stay on as England manager.
The Three Lions boss, 52, has been at the helm for over six years but refused to comment on whether or not he would continue in his role after England were eliminated by France in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Despite leading England to a World Cup semi-final and the final of last year's delayed European Championship, Southgate has been heavily criticised by sections of England's support for poor results in the build-up to the tournament. The former Middlesbrough chief has also been accused of being too pragmatic.
It is understood that Southgate had made up his mind to quit as England boss after the World Cup and the FA feared they were losing him.
But Southgate made no secret of the fact he enjoyed the Qatar campaign, the fans got back onside and, from a position where those close to him thought he was definitely going, the England boss has apparently been won back round.
Southgate now wants to give the job another crack and lead them to the next Euros as he believes the squad is young enough to realise their potential as trophy winners in the next few tournaments.
There was also a feeling that the last thing Southgate would want to do is leave the FA in the lurch with no obvious replacement lined up. The FA did not want to bring someone new in and Southgate staying on is a massive boost for their vision for the England team..
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Speaking last weekend, Southgate said: "I've found large parts of the last 18 months difficult. For everything that I've loved about the last few weeks, I still have how things have been for 18 months.
"What's been said and what's been written, the night at Wolves [where England lost 4-0 to Hungary]. There are lots of things in my head that are really conflicted at the moment, so what I want to make sure, if it's the right thing to stay, is that I've definitely got the energy to do that."
Reports earlier this week outlined that Southgate was set to make a decision over his future in the New Year after taking time to evaluate his tenure following England's World Cup exit.
The likes of Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe had been linked to the job following England's defeat by France last weekend. But Southgate will now attempt to go one further than last summer at Euro 2024 after pushing the defending champions all the way in Qatar
