Gareth Southgate remarked that England felt “perhaps less satisfaction” in reaching the Euro 2024 final compared to their experience in Euro 2020.
The Three Lions’ 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday secured them a spot in their second consecutive European Championship final.
England finished as runners-up at the postponed Euro 2020, losing 3-2 to Italy in a penalty shootout at Wembley after a 1-1 draw.
That was the men’s first final appearance since the 1966 World Cup, and now they face another final on Sunday against Spain.
Southgate has led England to the semi-finals or further in three of his four major tournaments, including World Cups and Euros, but has yet to win a trophy.
Including fixtures decided by penalty shootouts, Southgate’s England have won nine knockout games and lost three, in addition to a third-place game defeat.
“There’s a different feel [than 2021]. We’re now in a different moment as a team, two tournaments on and a lot more big match experience,” Southgate told BBC Sport.
“I guess there was less of a celebration, perhaps less satisfaction at reaching a final.
“I wouldn’t say it becomes run of the mill but it’s a little bit more normal for us. That statement in itself is probably a bit ridiculous given our history.”
When asked if that meant that winning was now essential, Southgate said: “Yeah, we needed to win the last one! We didn’t. What we do know is that in the end, how we’ll be viewed by others will be determined by the result on Sunday.”
Southgate says England will need to be “tactically close to perfect” against a Spain side that have been “excellent with and without the ball”.
“I’ve got to keep a professional focus. A bit of detachment from the enormity of the occasion, if you like. It would be easy to be overwhelmed by that.”
After being named the Football Association’s head of elite development in 2012, Southgate was appointed England’s Under-21 manager a year later.
He replaced Sam Allardyce as manager of the senior team in 2016.
“What that journey’s taught me is what it means to English football really to have credibility on the European and world stage,” said Southgate.
“I know what it means to people working at every level from youth development all the way through to senior football.”
Will Southgate sign a new England contract?
Southgate’s contract with England, extended in November 2021, is set to expire in December.
The 53-year-old stated that he would not be discussing his future before Sunday’s final.
“Emotionally it would be impossible for me to make a logical decision at the moment on any of that because my sole focus for two years has been winning this tournament,” said Southgate.
“The last five or six weeks have been an absolute rollercoaster, so I don’t really know where I am with anything other than very focused on preparing the team for this game and determined to keep leading them in the way we have over the last month.”