Sven-Göran Eriksson urges Gareth Southgate to remain England boss

According to Sven-Göran Eriksson, Gareth Southgate should remain England coach “at least two more years” despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Southgate, who has been in charge since 2016 and has guided England to a World Cup semi-final and a European Championship final, is considering staying on.

The Football Association will ask Southgate, who is on a break with family after returning from Qatar, to make a quick decision as the first Euro 2024 qualifiers take place in March.

Gareth Southgate reflects on his future as England coach after World Cup defeat

Southgate comforts Harry Kane after his agonizing miss against France last weekend

Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel are two potential replacements if Southgate resigns and the FA decide to appoint a foreign manager.

Swede Eriksson, who was the Three Lions’ first overseas manager, has urged Southgate, 52, to move on.

“This England squad was very strong, they had a very good balance of youth and experience,” he told betting blog OLBG.

“But some of the old players can’t wait long enough for the next World Cup because of their age, so I can understand if people want to see a new manager in charge.

“The quarter-finals are not good enough for the FA and the English fans.

Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson has urged Southgate to continue the job

Eriksson led England to three tournaments, each time eliminated in the quarter-finals

“There is still opposition to appointing a foreign manager for England so I don’t know what they will do. I would keep Gareth Southgate for at least two more years.

“Gareth will make a big decision, he will feel if the FA and especially the players are behind him.

“If you don’t have the support of the players, it’s a very difficult situation.

“Usually you have two or four-year contracts with England. The manager has to spend a lot less time with the players because he doesn’t see them that often. Whoever comes in has to create something special.

“England will always want an English manager at the helm, it’s in their blood. We foreign managers who have been in this job have always been criticized for not being English.

England boss Gareth Southgate is being asked by the FA to make a quick decision on his future

The FA have no succession plans and a lack of credible English candidates, with Eddie Howe and Graham Potter (pictured) signed to Newcastle and Chelsea respectively

“If I were the FA my number 1 priority would be to keep Southgate because I don’t know what England manager would be available to take over.”

Eddie Howe and Graham Potter would be the leading English candidates for the job but they are based in Newcastle and Chelsea respectively.

Southgate’s contract runs until after EURO 2024, for which qualifying begins in March with a tough away game in Italy.

He will be speaking to senior English players about his future after his Christmas break, although most of them have already made it publicly clear that they want him to continue.