Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman believes that England manager Gareth Southgate should continue to lead the team into the next World Cup, despite their Euro 2024 final defeat.
Southgate’s future is under intense speculation following England’s 2-1 loss to Spain in the final in Berlin. After the defeat, Southgate stated that “now was not the time” to announce whether he would remain as manager, with his current contract set to expire in December.
Southgate has guided England to consecutive European Championship finals, the 2018 World Cup semi-final, and the 2022 World Cup quarter-final. However, his tactics have faced criticism from former England players and fans during Euro 2024.
Osman, who earned two caps for England, expressed his support for Southgate on BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Monday Night Club, saying he wants him to stay.
“We’ll just remember in 20 years or so we got the latter stages of four tournaments on the run and we had those moments, we had those house parties, we had those moments with our families watching games,” said Osman.
“We might never have a stretch like this again and it’s something we should actually be proud of.”
Asked whether he thinks Southgate will stay on as England manager, Osman added: “Yes I do. I want him to be [England manager]. I know it’s been frustrating and I know we have had our moments where we all think he should have done this differently.
“But he is the man in charge, he is the man who despite performances in this particular tournament, we’ve been to two finals.
“So yes – force him to keep the job.”
‘Southgate will fancy a move into club football’
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha believes Southgate, who has been in charge of England since 2016, will leave.
“The stuff that he has done in the grand scheme of England history has been impressive,” Onuoha told the MNC.
“There are obviously little bits in it that people don’t like but also if he was to leave today, you look at that team and it’s a really young exciting team potentially for someone to take.
“I think he will be leaving.
“He will look at it and think he has done a good job. He will probably be ready and young enough to go into club football. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s his next move.”