Gareth Southgate 'will sack himself' as England target historic Euro 2024 triumph
Gareth Southgate's future as England manager is up in the air ahead of Euro 2024 this summer
PA
Emmanuel Petit thinks Gareth Southgate is likely to quit his role as England manager after this summer's European Championships.
The 52-year-old has been in charge of the national team ever since 2016, with the former Middlesbrough boss improving the Three Lions in the time since.
This summer, England will look to win the European Championships for the very first time.
They went agonisingly close three years ago, losing to Italy in that final after a dramatic penalty shootout.
Gareth Southgate could leave his post as England manager once Euro 2024 is out of the way
PA
Regardless of what happens, however, there are question marks over Southgate and his future with the side.
The 52-year-old has been linked with Manchester United amid the uncertainty over Erik ten Hag's future.
And Petit, speaking to Best Online Poker Sites, believes Southgate will walk away from the dugout once Euro 2024 is out of the way.
“I don’t think you will have to [sack him], because I think he will do that himself," he said.
"I feel in the last few months that his time with the national team will be done and this is the last tournament for Southgate.
"He’s not going to stay in charge of the national team for 20 or 30 years.
"He’s got all the talented players so something must happen at this Euros.
"This is the last tournament and his last chance to prove that he has done something with this very talented generation.”
When it comes to a potential replacement, Petit has a name in mind.
Jurgen Klopp is currently a free agent after leaving Liverpool following a remarkable eight-and-a-half year stint in charge.
And Petit thinks the 56-year-old would be the perfect fit for England.
“You have the choice to take either an English manager or a foreign manager," he said.
"If we talk about an English manager then there is Graham Potter for example.
"I know it is not the tradition of English people or the FA to hire a foreign manager but they have done it in the past with Sven-Goran Eriksson.
"So maybe someone with a different vision from outside, because I really feel that England is not far from winning something.
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Emmanuel Petit thinks Gareth Southgate is primed to 'sack himself' once Euro 2024 is out of the way
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"I would love to see Jurgen Klopp.
"Guys like this say: ‘I’m going to take one year out,’ but it’s a lie.
"After two or three months they will be bored.”
Petit was part of the France side that won the World Cup back in 1998.
They then followed that up by winning Euro 2000, beating Italy in the final.
Jurgen Klopp has been backed to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager once Euro 2024 is out of the way
PA
France are among the favourites to reign supreme this summer, too.
And Petit thinks just five England players would get into their side, adding: “Harry Kane would get in the France team because he’s a great goalscorer. I have huge respect for Olivier Giroud but Kane is one of the best strikers of the last 10 years.
"Even if we have Kylian Mbappe on the left or Ousmane Dembélé on the right, that doesn’t mean that Phil Foden cannot play instead of Mbappe.
"Foden has been amazing this season. He has become the boss of Manchester City. And on the other side, you have Bukayo Saka who has been tremendous for the last four years for Arsenal.
"I think in the midfield area there are more positions that England players can take. This is where we have talented players, but not enough in my opinion. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice can play, no problem at all.”
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