Gareth Southgate: The FA is keen to remain England coach after the 2024 European Championship

The FA are keen to keep Gareth Southgate as England manager after the European Championship this summer.

Southgate was expected to step down after the 2024 finals in Germany.

However, the 53-year-old has not ruled out the possibility of staying in charge until the 2026 World Cup.

“You have to see how the summer goes. It's that simple,” Southgate said during the UEFA Nations League draw in Paris on Thursday.

“From my point of view, I know what we can achieve in the summer, I know what my criteria for success is, and after that I don't really think about anything else.

“In the end, we have to perform well and you have to make the best decisions for everyone. I will not be in a position to make that decision before the tournament.”

The FA expressed its admiration for the way Southgate has changed its perceptions of the England national team on and off the field since taking over.

He replaced Sam Allardyce, initially on a caretaker basis, in 2016, and in 2021 signed a contract to remain as England manager until December 2024.

Earlier that year, he led England to the European Championship final – the men's best performance in 55 years – where they lost to Italy on penalties at Wembley.

In 2018, he led the team to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 28 years, while they reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 tournament in Qatar, losing 2-1 to eventual finalists France.

England won 57 of the 91 matches it played under Southgate, including 14 defeats and 20 draws.

It is unlikely that there will be any significant talks over Southgate's contract until after the European Championship, but if he decides to stay, it appears that the FA will be happy to oblige that wish.

England begins its European Championship campaign against Serbia on June 16, while Denmark and Slovenia include the other two teams in Group C.

If Southgate stays on beyond the expiry date of his current contract in December, he will replace Sir Bobby Robson as England's third longest-serving manager behind Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Walter Winterbottom.