GARETH SOUTHGATE is dreaming of a Euro 2024 victory party at Trafalgar Square — after shelving talks on a new England deal.
The Three Lions manager’s contract runs out at the end of the year but FA chiefs want him to stay on for the 2026 World Cup.
And Southgate revealed talks are now on hold until after this summer’s Euros in Germany.
But he is open to agreeing fresh terms, should England lift the trophy for the first time.
Southgate, 53, said: “We would have to sit and think about that at the end of the tournament.
“I’m happy to talk about it briefly now but I’m not going to talk about what’s next for the whole summer.
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“We have consciously shelved any discussions internally about what might be next.
“That’s because I think if we had sat and signed a new contract and done that before the tournament, everybody would say, ‘Well, you did this with [Fabio] Capello and you should be proving yourself before you sign’.
“I’m relaxed about that and I have no idea where we’ll be in the middle of July, other than I hope it’s Trafalgar Square and let’s get the party on.”
Despite the FA wanting him to continue in the role he started in 2016, Southgate believes signing a deal before the Euros would hinder the side.
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He added: “I think that has the potential to negatively affect the reaction to the team.
“The team need the clearest run possible at this tournament, so my job is to remove pressure where possible.
“We’ve got to accept some pressure because we’re one of the favourites.
“But, equally, I don’t want to put anything additional on to the team.
“We could stink the place out and everybody wants shot of me.
“So there’s no point in speculating about what might happen — I don’t think we will stink the place out, though.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
