According to Kieran Trippier, Gareth Southgate’s players are “extremely happy” about his decision to stay as England’s manager.
After his team was eliminated by France in the World Cup quarterfinals, the former Middlesbrough manager thought about leaving the position he has held since 2016.
There had been concerns that Southgate might leave before his contract, which runs through Euro 2024, expired because of his presence in the semi-final at Russia 2018 and his team’s second-place position at Euro 2020.
His players have responded favorably to the subsequent announcement that he will remain, with right-back Trippier saying the 52-year-old has the support of the team he led to Qatar 2022.
“We are all absolutely delighted about it,” Trippier told the i newspaper. “From the moment he first took charge until now, we’ve taken great huge steps.
“Players want to play for England, they know what it means to put the shirt on. He’s a great man manager, and I think all the lads would say that.
“Speaking for myself, I’m delighted that he’s staying on, and I know that all the rest of the players are too.”
Thank you for your fantastic support. We’ll see you in March for the start of our #EURO2024 qualifying campaign! 👏 pic.twitter.com/YbFa0yOfOH
— England (@England) December 18, 2022
After a difficult time that saw England relegated in the Nations League prior to the World Cup, Southgate initially said he required time to think over his future before recommitting.
Trippier believes England are continuing to progress, pointing to the spirited performance against France as a sign of growth.
“I think we have moved forward, for sure,” the Newcastle United full-back added. “You see the freedom the players had to attack, and you just have to look at the France game. I thought we were brilliant.
“We have taken huge steps. It was another learning curve for us, but we move on now.”
England will begin a possibly thorny Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with games against reigning European champions Italy and Ukraine in March.