Anthony Gordon sends 'selfish' Gareth Southgate England message amid future doubts

Stuart Jamieson

12 June 2024 at 3:38 am·3-min read

Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon would love Gareth Southgate to stay on as England manager after this summer's European Championships.

The Magpies forward is part of the squad in Germany and hoping to play a key role in England's Euro 24 bid, which gets under way against Serbia on Sunday. Manager Southgate knows this summer's tournament could be his last at the helm unless he is able to lead England to glory.

After reaching the final of Euro 20 and the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, this may well represent his last chance to achieve something only one previous England manager has ever done - win a major trophy. Gordon is enjoying his first experience of being part of a senior England camp, having shone in last summer's U21 European Championships.

Having been rewarded for his fine form in black-and-white this season, the forward is in with a strong chance of starting Sunday's opener, despite fierce competition from the likes of Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden. He has been impressed with the set-up so far in Germany - and would love to see Southgate stay on behind the tournament, no matter what happens.

"From a selfish point I would want him to stay," said the 23-year-old. "I love working with him and his staff. From my youth journey with England, the way they have transitioned the whole set-up from youth to senior level. It has been absolutely amazing and I don't think they get the credit he deserves."

Southgate accepts consistently high performances are not enough as they look to become just the second men's team to bring home a major trophy following Sir Alf Ramsey's 1966 World Cup heroes.

"If we don't win, I probably won't be here anymore," he told German publication Bild. "Then it might be the last chance. I think about half of the national coaches leave after a tournament - that's the nature of international football.

"I've been here for almost eight years now and we've come close. So, I know that you can't keep standing in front of the public and saying 'please do a little more', because at some point people will lose faith in your message. If we want to be a big team and I want to be a top coach, then you have to deliver in the big moments."

In the meantime, Gordon is loving being part of the England squad, and has been hugely impressed by the training facilities in Germany. England are training at their base at the Spa and Golf Resort Weimarer Land situated in the small town of Blankenhain in the middle of Germany.

"Base camp is unbelievable," Gordon added. "Honestly, I wish you could see it. We have everything we could ask for - basketball court, padel court, spa for recovery.

"We have absolutely everything and couldn't have asked for anything better. It's a great place to be because when you come away from home, away from family for so long - hopefully - you need that base and start to make it a home from home. We've definitely got that."