‘If the players follow you, you have to stay’: Fabio Capello insists Gareth Southgate must remain in charge of England despite World Cup quarter-final exit… as Three Lions boss weighs up his future ahead of Euro 2024
Former England manager Fabio Capello has claimed Gareth Southgate has to remain in the role, if he is convinced the players are still following him.
Southgate is understood to be contemplating a resignation following England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to France, with the Three Lions suffering a 2-1 defeat to the reigning champions.
The 52-year-old led England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, before guiding the team to the Euro 2020 final last year.
Fabio Capello says Gareth Southgate must have players’ support for him to stay England boss
The England boss is weighing up his position following the Three Lions’ World Cup exit
Southgate has said will will not make a snap decision on his future, with his current contract set to expire at the end of Euro 2024.
Capello, who served as England manager from 2007 to 2012, believes Southgate needs assurances from his players and the Football Association that they are supporting his management.
The Italian told Sky Sports that Southgate should remain in the post if he is convinced the players remain supportive of his leadership.
‘He’s done a good job, he’s created really good young teams,’ Capello said. ‘He has to decide, stay or retire, this is the problem for this job.
‘If you are sure that the players are follow you then you have to stay. If the players are not with you then you have to retire.
Fabio Capello spent five years in the England job and led the nation at the 2010 World Cup
‘He needs to speak with the FA together, not alone, together.
‘If you believe in me, yes. If you do not believe in me, thank you, bye bye.’
Southgate has been viewed as giving the strongest hint yet that he may decide to continue in the role, after reportedly reassuring fringe players that they are still ‘part of his plans’ in the future.
England crashed out of the tournament after their quarter-final loss to 2018 champions France
The Football Association are believed to be open to appointing a foreign manager should Southgate decide to step down.
Free agents Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino have been linked with the England job since expressing interest in the position.
Several fans and pundits including Jamie Carragher have called for an Englishman to take over should Southgate resign.
The ex-Liverpool star posted to Twitter on Tuesday: ‘The England manager should always be English!’
He has since been caught in a social media spat with former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys, who said the pundit’s views ‘bordered on racism.’
