Euro 2024 preview: Is it finally England's time?
Gareth Southgate's England have arrived in Germany, facing a crucial test to determine if they are genuine contenders or simply a team that falters when it matters most.
Southgate’s tenure – whether it concludes at the end of Euro 2024 or continues beyond – should always be assessed against the chaos he inherited.
Appointed permanently in November 2016, Southgate has since led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, the Euro 2020 final, and the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
World Cup 2022: How England's journey came to an end
As the England players settle into their base in Germany, there is much to be hopeful about. Southgate has fostered a positive atmosphere within the squad, with players now enjoying representing their country without the heavy burden of expectations. He has also rekindled a sense of goodwill from the fans and the wider public towards the team and himself.
This tournament carries a sense of urgency – a ‘now or never’ moment – following the World Cup defeats to Croatia in 2018 and France four years later, and the missed opportunity of losing to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final, effectively a home tournament for England.
Euro 2024: England name final squad for Germany
England’s campaign comes with numerous sub-plots, fuelling speculation about whether this will be Southgate’s final chapter. The team arrives in Germany with a wealth of world-class talent and standout performers who would be coveted by any other country at the Euros. From captain Harry Kane to the new golden boy Jude Bellingham – now a Champions League winner with Real Madrid – and Manchester City’s Phil Foden, the squad is brimming with stars.
Southgate’s bold and exciting squad selection in the midfield and attacking areas includes Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze as standout picks, along with Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who add width and flair.
With a blend of experience and youthful energy, England’s squad should feel confident in their ability to win Euro 2024.
Some of the best moments from the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign can be found in the video below. The footage is from the Channel 4 Sport YouTube account.
If England fail to end their trophy drought since the 1966 World Cup, Gareth Southgate might conclude that four major tournaments over nearly eight years is enough, and his tenure has come to an end.
Southgate's record is the best of any England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey. He will have led the team through more tournaments than both Sven-Goran Eriksson, who oversaw three quarter-final exits, and Roy Hodgson.
ECQ: Kane breaks England record in Italy (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Hodgson, the former Fulham manager, led England in three major tournaments. However, his last two campaigns – failing to advance past the group stage at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the humiliating defeat to Iceland in Euro 2016 – were painful sources of national embarrassment.
If England triumph in Germany, and what a chance they have, Southgate will then face a crucial decision: to bow out on a high or to take a third shot at World Cup glory in 2026.
