17 November 2023 , 18:06
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Former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell has told Gareth Southgate that Euro 2024 is the time to end the 58-year wait for a trophy.
In the Southgate era, England reached a World Cup semi-final in 2018, a European Championship final in 2021, and the World Cup quarter-finals in December last year.
Those achievements haven't come without criticism, though, with many raising questions over Southgate's squad selection and tactics, which oversaw defeats to Croatia, Italy, and France in vital moments at major international tournaments.
There's pressure on Southgate to step aside if the Three Lions' talented squad don't win in Germany next year. However, Campbell has asked Southgate's detractors: Who replaces him? "I think even Gareth would say whatever way it goes - and he's an honest man - he will feel it," Campbell told Mirror Sport at the Web Summit in Lisbon. "But who comes in? Who comes in?"
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Since Fabio Capello, the FA has opted for homegrown managers: Roy Hodson, Sam Allardyce, and Southgate. In the current market, though, there is a lack of options, which is a concern for Campbell, who has had managerial struggles of his own.
"Who's allowed to flourish [English managers]?" Campbell asked. "It becomes limited. But Gareth's honest; he's going to give his best shot to win. And if he doesn't, then he'll think again, but who comes in?
"He's done unbelievable, what he's done so far. [We] got to the final, ok, unlucky. The last one? It is what it is. But we got to a final [in 2021]. He's moved the team on, he's introduced new players. Let's see in the next one what happens."
Sol Campbell has backed Gareth Southgate to remain England manager after 2024 (Getty)Campbell sees no reason as to why England can't go on to win Euro 2024 and/or the World Cup in 2026, which is being held in the US, Canada, and Mexico. "We've got a great side. We've got to do it. Now's the time - they're so close now. Now's the time. Go for it, see if you can win it now. Now's the time."
He added: "The mentality going into tournaments now should be: Let's see if we can win. If you fall short, you fall short, but that's the mentality: Let's see if we can win. We're not over-egging it, we're not trying to be big-headed, let's try to win, let's do everything in our capability. Let's look at every single scenario, let's look at every system, let's allow players to be free on the pitch. Let's do all of it! Try... We've got a great team."
Southgate's £2.5million-a-year contract is due to expire later on in 2024 and indications suggest that he will remain the England manager following the tournament. National managers normally leave after major tournaments but Southgate has an extra six months’ “cooling off” period following the Euros at the request of FA technical director John McDermott and chief executive Mark Bullingham.