Gareth Southgate accepts this summer鈥檚 European Championship will likely be his last tournament at the helm unless he is able to lead England to glory.
The 53-year-old took charge of the national team at one of their lowest ebbs, having been stunned by Iceland at Euro 2016 and seen Roy Hodgson鈥檚 successor Sam Allardyce swiftly exit.
Southgate has impressively managed to right the ship, leading England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and quarter-finals four years later as well as going within a penalty shoot-out of winning Euro 2020.
鈥淚f we don鈥檛 win, I probably won鈥檛 be here anymore,鈥 he told German publication Bild. 鈥淭hen it might be the last chance.
鈥淚 think about half of the national coaches leave after a tournament 鈥 that鈥檚 the nature of international football.
鈥淚鈥檝e been here for almost eight years now and we鈥檝e come close. So, I know that you can鈥檛 keep standing in front of the public and saying 鈥榩lease do a little more鈥, because at some point people will lose faith in your message.
Euro 2024 is the fourth and final tournament covered by Southgate鈥檚 contract as his Football Association deal expires later this year.
The England boss has been linked with the Manchester United job but has said he will not speak to anybody about his future until after this summer鈥檚 finals in Germany.
That includes the FA as he knows a contract extension before a major tournament can provide an unnecessary distraction, using Fabio Capello鈥檚 extension before the 2010 World Cup as an example.
鈥淭he reason is that there would have been more criticism, which would have put more pressure on the team.
鈥淓ngland did that once before with Fabio Capello, and there was a big drama before the tournament. It鈥檚 better to check yourself after the tournament.鈥
While Southgate鈥檚 future is seemingly up in the air, Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon is hoping to work under the current England boss for some time to come.
鈥淚 love working with him and his staff. From my youth journey with England, the way they have transitioned the whole set-up from youth to senior level.
鈥淚t has been absolutely amazing and I don鈥檛 think they get the credit he deserves.鈥
