Gareth Southgate has said he is likely to leave his job as England manager if his team fails to win Euro 2024.
His contract expires in December, although sources told ESPN that the Football Association would like him to continue in the role.
Southgate, 53, who took over in 2016, has overseen a dramatic reversal of fortunes, leading England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and losing the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy at Wembley.
England was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup in the quarterfinals by France in a match with good margins. That overall tournament record, combined with the emergence of a generation of exciting young players, including Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Kobbie Mainoo, has raised expectations heading into this year's Euros.
Southgate almost quit after the World Cup as he agonized over whether he was the best man to lead the team, and a decision will be made again after the final in Germany.
He told German newspaper Bild: “If we don't win [the Euros]I probably won't be here anymore. Then it could be the last chance.
“I think about half of the national coaches leave after a tournament – that's the nature of international football. “I've been here almost eight years and we've gotten closer.
“So I know you can't keep standing in front of an audience and saying, 'Please do a little more,' because at some point people will lose faith in your message.
“If we want to be a great team and I want to be a top-level coach, then we have to live up to the big moments.”
Southgate told ESPN last month that the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico would be an “incredible tournament” but insisted he was undecided about whether to go ahead.
When asked if signing a contract extension before the Euros was an option, Southgate referenced Fabio Capello's reaction to agreeing to stay amid interest from Inter Milan ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where England was beaten 4-1 in the round of 16. 16 for Germany.
“No, [it wasn’t an option]”The reason is that there would have been more criticism, which would have put more pressure on the team. England already did it once with Fabio Capello and there was a lot of drama before the tournament. It's better to check it yourself after the tournament.”
England's Group C campaign begins against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. The team arrived at their base in Blankenhain on Monday afternoon and will train for the first time in front of the public at the Jena stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
