The 53-year-old admitted that he would have been sacked if England had gone out of the tournament in the group stages. Southgate expressed that his focus is solely on the present moment, stating, “The way my emotions have gone over the last five weeks, it would be ridiculous for me to think about anything beyond this game.”

He mentioned the need to make decisions in the future but also noted that he deserves a few days to contemplate. Southgate added that he knows the consequences if they had been eliminated in the group stage and has an idea in his mind about what would have happened.

Rice emphasized the special journey the team has been on and expressed the players’ desire for Southgate to continue leading the team until 2026. He praised Southgate’s managerial style and stated that the team has not discussed the matter with him, as it is not their place to intervene in his decision.

Southgate added that the team’s age profile implies that many players will be there for a long time, mentioning the upcoming World Cup and Euros. He noted the need for progress and acknowledged that the potential for the team is there, emphasizing the importance of blooding young players and maintaining a cycle of renewal within the team.