Southgate Faces Euro 2024 Glory or Departure
Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England’s manager may hinge on his ability to end the nation’s 58-year wait for a major trophy at the upcoming Euro 2024 in Germany. This is the view of talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan, who believes the Three Lions boss will need to be replaced if he fails to guide his side to glory.
England go into the European Championship as one of the favorites, as they look to go one better than their runners-up position at Euro 2020. Southgate has guided the team to semi-final and quarter-final appearances at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively, but now faces increased pressure to deliver a long-awaited international trophy.
“If you don’t do it now with Southgate, you’re never going to do it.”
- Simon Jordan, Former Crystal Palace Owner
With a plethora of world-class talent at his disposal, there is an expectation that England should challenge strongly for the title. Former Crystal Palace owner Jordan believes this could be Southgate’s last chance to deliver, stating, “If you don’t do it now with Southgate, you’re never going to do it.”
Jordan acknowledged the progress made under Southgate, with England reaching the semi-finals, final, and quarter-finals in recent major tournaments. However, he emphasized that the next logical step is to win a tournament, given the quality of the squad.
The analyst also dismissed the significance of England’s 1-0 defeat to Iceland in their final warm-up match, stating that “this is tournament football now” and that the team’s defensive solidity and offensive firepower will be key to their success.
Southgate’s Legacy on the Line
Ultimately, Southgate’s legacy as England manager will be defined by his ability to guide the team to their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. Failure to triumph in Germany could see the end of his tenure, as Jordan believes “if Southgate doesn’t win this tournament, there can be no another spin on the wheel.”
The pressure is on Southgate and his players to deliver on the big stage and provide long-awaited glory for English football fans.
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