Gareth Southgate says it would be impossible for him to make a “logical” decision on his future with England in sight of Euro 2024 glory.
England have made their first-ever overseas final – against Spain in Berlin on Sunday – and a second successive European Championship showpiece after being denied the trophy by Italy in a Wembley penalty shoot-out three years ago.
It is the third time in three of his four major tournaments in charge – World Cups and Euros – that Southgate has guided England to the semi-finals or further.
Southgate, whose contract expires in December, indicated before Euro 2024 that he could leave the job if he did not lead England to the title in Germany.
Asked how difficult it would be to walk away if he does land England’s first men’s trophy since the 1966 World Cup, Southgate told Sky News: “Nothing’s that difficult.
“But emotionally it would be impossible for me to make a logical decision at the moment on any of that because my sole focus for two years has been winning this tournament.
“The last five, six weeks have been an absolute rollercoaster, so I don’t actually know where I am with anything other than (being) very focused on preparing the team for this game, and determined to keep leading them in the way we have over the last month.
“I definitely took the job to try to help English football improve.
“I know what it (winning) would mean not only to the general public in England, but particularly to people involved in English football – from those that develop young players to those that run clubs to every level of the game.
“Really, I think we’ve improved the credibility of English football in how it’s perceived around the world.
“But ultimately, until you win that trophy, then there will always be those questions, both abroad and at home, about what we’ve done.”
Southgate says England are in a “different moment” to when they lost the Euro 2020 final and that it now feels a “little bit more normal” to be at this stage of a major competition once again.
“There’s a different feel (than 2021),” Southgate told BBC Sport.
“We’re now in a different moment as a team, two tournaments on and a lot more big match experience.
“I guess there was less of a celebration, perhaps less satisfaction at reaching a final.
“I wouldn’t say it becomes run of the mill but it’s a little bit more normal for us. That statement in itself is probably a bit ridiculous given our history.”