There is only one certainty ahead of England’s date with destiny. Whatever the outcome of Saturday night’s World Cup quarter-final, the “buck will stop” with Gareth Southgate.
Southgate readily accepts he will either be public enemy No.1 or a national hero after England’s meeting with France at Al Bayt Stadium. Ultimately, it could decide his long-term future. That is the life of any England manager but the margins do seem particularly thin when it comes to Southgate, who has done so much to make the country fall back in love with the national team.
England reached the World Cup semi-finals four years ago and the Euros final last year. And it has raised expectation levels even against the reigning world champions.
