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England manager Gareth Southgate signs new three-year deal until 2024 - and England fans give their verdict

England manager Gareth Southgate signs new three-year deal until 2024 - and England fans give their verdict

Gareth Southgate is set to continue his management of the England men’s football team after signing a new three-year deal that will last until December 2024.

This new contract is an extension on his previous one that was set to run out in 2022, after the World Cup in Qatar.

It’s been five years since Southgate took over the England team in November 2016, and since then he’s made history with England at the Euro 2020 tournament earlier this year in July, when they reached their first final in 55 years where they heartbreakingly lost out to Italy in a penalty shootout.

The team have also been in excellent form during their World Cup qualifiers after beating Albania 5-0 and hammering San Marino 10-0 to earn themselves a place in the competition.

In a tweet announcing the news, England’s official Twitter account wrote: “Here to stay. We’re delighted to confirm that Gareth Southgate has extended his #ThreeLions contract through to 2024.”

The CEO of the Football Association (FA) Mark Bullingham said: “They’ve done a fantastic job, with many great moments. By extending their contracts, we’re hoping for many more special moments.”

“I feel the team can improve and are continuing to want to improve. It’s a very exciting period. To have the opportunity of another World Cup and European Championship is hugely exciting,” Southgate said in the press conference.

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When asked if he had been thinking of leaving the national team for a club manager role, Southgate replied: “We’ve only won one World Cup but we have to believe that’s possible, it’s an aim we have as a team.

“To step away when we think the next few years could have been exciting, that could be difficult to live with. If this contract is the last, I will only be 53 at the end of it and I hope there’ll be a lot of my life at the end of it!”

The 51-year-old will lead the England players to the World Cup next year with the qualifiers happening between June 14 - July 14 and the actual tournament is set to take place from November 21 - December 18.

After hearing the news, England fans and a former player have shared their thoughts about Southgate’s contact extension.

Former England and Chelsea captain, John Terry described the announcement as “Great news for @England.”

There were also many people who were delighted at the announcement and felt that after his Euro 2020 run Southgate deserved the deal.

While others thought the contract extension was a bit premature considering we don’t know how well England will do in Qatar - and the new contract will last for two years after this.

After seeing critical comments about Southgate, some fans defended him by pointing out as well as the Euro 2020 final, he got England to the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the fact he has connected with his team of players.

Meanwhile Southgate recently made the news as one of the many celebrity guest list at Adele’s ITV special An Audience with Adele where members of the audience could ask the singer questions.

When Gareth Southgate’s turn to ask the singer something, Adele proceeded to compliment his and the team’s efforts during the Euro 2020 tournament, she told him: “I loved watching you this summer. It was one of the best.”

He replied: “Thank you for your support. We saw the videos of you getting quite into it.”

Viewers also loved seeing the England manager bob his head along while the hitmaker was belting our her new songs from album 30, as well as some classics.

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