Glen Hoddle has advised Gareth Southgate to quit as England boss if he triumphs in the World Cup.
The Three Lions boss is leading the nation into a major tournament for the third time having delivered a semi-final in 2018 and a final three years later on home soil. England, whilst not in brilliant form, are still among the most fancied teams to succeed in Qatar over the next month.
Southgate has been in his role since September 2016 and is aiming to become only the second manager after Sir Alf Ramsey to win a major tournament. The England boss' contract extends beyond the World Cup, but Hoddle, a Betfair ambassador, has urged the 52-year-old to leave if he delivers the World Cup.
The England icon said: "Long-term, who knows. I think if we were to win the World Cup, just quit. You're young enough, you can always come back, but I wouldn't stay if he [Southgate] wins the World Cup. Go and do what you want to do in the Premier League, but you can come back because I've left it on a high; not many England managers are allowed to do that."
The Three Lions head to Qatar without a win in six games, losing three of those, which saw them relegated in the Nations League. Their last victory came against Ivory Coast in March. Southgate's side have been put in a group with Wales, Iran and the USA.
As a result, they are fancied to advance to the knockout stage with minimal fuss. Failing to do so could cause issues, but Hoddle firmly expects the Football Association to stick by Southgate regardless of the results in Qatar. "Well, I think if they get knocked out in the group stages, that would be a bit of an obstacle for him," he added.
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"But I think for the FA, with what he's done in the past, I think they'd be within their rights to stick with Gareth and the group of players he's got."
Southgate has said he is "perfectly happy" to be judged on the results achieved by the team in Qatar, confessing that the mood has changed due to the results in recent months. The former Middlesbrough boss also admits he is "not arrogant enough to think that my contract is going to protect me in any way”.
England's semi-final appearance in Russia four-and-a-half years ago was the first time they've made the last four since 1990. European sides have won the last three World Cups - Spain in 2010, Germany in 2014 and France in 2018 - but Brazil and Argentina are the two favourites to triumph in Qatar.
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