Forget the 12 days of Christmas.
Once the festivities are over, England will have just 12 weeks before their Euros qualifying campaign begins in March with a double header against Italy and Ukraine.
And that is why the clock is ticking on the Football Association needing and wanting a decision from Gareth Southgate on whether he will stay or walk away after six-and-a-half years in charge. Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino would be interested in the job but the reality is that there is no obvious English candidate.
England boss Southgate is considering his future and there is no doubt the FA wants him to stay and see out the remaining two years left on his contract.
This is not Southgate suddenly deciding after the World Cup that it could be time to walk away because, before the tournament, there was a strong feeling this would be his last. But the performances, results and being immersed with the squad during the past four weeks has left him feeling even more conflicted than before.
Southgate believes in this squad, believes their journey is not over yet and they were desperately close in Qatar to going all of the way. But the last 18 months after the Euros have scarred him because he has gone from being a national hero to having his management questioned.
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That night at Molineux last June when the England fans were calling for him to be sacked hurt deeply and Southgate made it clear that he would not stay if he was not wanted. But the fans - the loyal, hardcore fanbase who travelled to Qatar - were singing his name again and chanting: “Southgate you’re the one.”
Southgate would far rather go out on a high than leave after it has gone horribly toxic again as he has seen so many times before as an England player and TV pundit.
England have come a long way under Southgate as he took over in 2016 after the Three Lions were humiliated by Iceland at the Euros. Their previous World Cup was in 2014, when the campaign lasted eight days and they were home before the postcards.
You would have to be pretty crazy not to appreciate the progress under Southgate. And, in international football, it is often a process. Didier Deschamps has been France manager for a decade but had to wait six years before winning a trophy with the 2018 World Cup. Just like England, France lost the 2016 Euros final when they were tournament hosts.
The same was true for former Germany manager Joachim Low, who took charge in 2006 but did not win the World Cup until 2014. It can take time.
The FA is also faced with a major dilemma as to who on earth would succeed Southgate. There is simply no obvious English candidate. Graham Potter has just gone to Chelsea, Eddie Howe has said he would not quit Newcastle and there are few others around.
Brendan Rodgers was born in Northern Ireland, he is British and is highly-respected as a coach. He would be as close to homegrown as possible.
The other candidates who might be interested are former Tottenham boss Pochettino and ex-Chelsea manager Tuchel. But can you honestly imagine an Argentinian or German in charge of the England national team? You could not choose two more unlikely countries.
The FA may not limit itself to just English - they would want the best candidate for the job - but if they go foreign, then what on earth does that say about the St George’s Park system?
If they cannot say that the national football centre can produce a coach worthy of the England team, then they might as well shut the place down. It was built to develop players, coaches and give English football an identity.
That is why across the next few days and weeks, the FA is desperate for Southgate to stay. He has their complete support and backing.
The problem for Southgate is that he might not feel he has the same depth of feeling from the supporters. And that’s the biggest fear. The clock is ticking on England’s next game, away to Italy in Naples on March 23, and the FA and Southgate cannot wait too long.
