Why Southgate is rolling the dice for these Euros

GARETH SOUTHGATE threw his future into sharp focus on the eve of Euro 2024 by admitting he will probably step down as England manager if they do not win the tournament.

- Dan Kilpatrick

"I've been here almost eight years now and we've come close," Southgate told German publication Bild. "You can't constantly put yourself in front of the public and say, 'A little more please, as at some point people lose faith."

Southgate has always been conscious of outstaying his welcome as England boss and he is more swayed by supporter sentiment than the view of his Football Association paymasters, who would like the 53-year-old to extend his contract beyond December, whatever happens at the Euros.

The Euros will be his fourth major finals and he appears to sense that his time in charge of England is drawing to a natural conclusion.

In this light, his decisions in the build-up to the tournament point to a manager with little left to lose, finally preparing to throw caution to the wind.