Report: England to Offer Manager Gareth Southgate Contract Extension
Gareth Southgate is in line for a new contract after guiding England to the semi-final of this summer's FIFA World Cup in Russia. The performance has prompted the Football Association to schedule talks with the 47-year-old, according to Sky Sports News:
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol provided more details about how the FA envisages Southgate's immediate future:
FA chief executive Martin Glenn wants Southgate to lead what he called "a very different next 10 years," per Julian Bennetts of the Telegraph. Specifically, Glenn is keen for Southgate to turn the Three Lions into "one of the top four teams in the world," as well as win the "World Cup by 2022."
It's an objective Glenn thinks can be achieved if England follow a model similar to those behind the international success enjoyed by Spain and Germany. Considering Die Mannschaft's mode of operating, Glenn doesn't want a marquee name in the England dugout, but rather a manager who can work within a framework and bring talent through.
The FA consider Southgate the right fit for this type of structure: "We want to reduce this historic variability. Spain and Germany can have a bad tournament, but there's this wider consistency. Southgate gets the set-up, and understands the talent coming through."
Some lofty goals are being set for Southgate, but he did ace his first audition by matching England's best finish at a World Cup since 1990. The run in Russia included snapping a lengthy trend of losing out in penalty shootouts when Southgate's men bested Colombia on spot-kicks in the round of 16.
Some felt ending the penalty jinx was proof of the more nuanced approach the former Middlesbrough boss had brought to the international job:
Perhaps the biggest credit due Southgate was how he wasn't afraid to give younger players their chances. He placed his faith in 24-year-old centre-back John Stones, who wasn't even a regular starter at club level for Manchester City last season.
Southgate also gave important roles to Everton's Jordan Pickford and Manchester United attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard. He included 22-year-old midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the squad, even though he has spent most of his Chelsea career on loan.
There is a feeling Southgate, who coached his nation's U21 side for three years, will refresh what had been a stale senior international setup for too long by relying on youth and emphasising a style of play to last.
Doubters will point to England finishing fourth in Russia only after progressing from a soft group featuring Tunisia and Panama. The Three Lions were also aided by tournament heavyweights such as Germany and Argentina going home early.
Either way, the FA appears confident Southgate's work in Russia was merely the start of a positive new era for England.
