Gareth Southgate signs new contract as England manager until 2022 World Cup

Gareth Southgate has signed a new contract which will see him remain as England manager until the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.

The 48-year-old, who earned 57 international caps for his country as a defender between 1995 to 2004, led the Three Lions to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia this summer.

Southgate, who has managed former club Middlesbrough and England’s Under-21 side prior to succeeding Sam Allardyce in September 2016, has agreed improved financial terms on his current deal, which will see his salary raised to a reported £3m-a-year.

He said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the national team through the next two major tournaments.

“The job remains an incredible privilege and a true honour.

“Experiencing at first hand how the nation united behind the team this summer was something special and it will be great to see how far this young squad can go in the years to come.”

England manager Gareth Southgate during today’s press conference.

Southgate has taken charge of 27 England fixtures overall, winning 14 matches and losing six games, giving him a healthy 51.85% win percentage.

This summer’s World Cup campaign in Russia was the first time England reached the last-four in 28 years, before his side lost 2-1 to Croatia in the semi-finals in Moscow.

His assistant manager, Steve Holland, has also agreed a new deal through to 2022.

Southgate’s new contract was confirmed shortly before he announced his latest England squad, which included six uncapped players, to take on Spain and Croatia in the UEFA Nations League later this month.

James Maddison, Jadon Sancho and Mason Mount have been named in the Three Lions senior set-up for the very first time.

Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley returns to the fold for the first time since May 2016, and uncapped trio Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham), Alex McCarthy (Southampton) and Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford) are also included.

Leicester City playmaker Maddison, 21, has scored three goals and provided two assists in seven Premier League appearances this season, following his £20m summer switch from Norwich City.

Fellow midfielder Mason Mount, 19, has netted five goals in 14 games whilst on loan at Championship outfit Derby County from Chelsea this campaign.

And, winger Sancho, 18, has starred for Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund this term, finding the back of the net once and setting up eight goals in just nine outings in all competitions.

Sancho, who left Premier League champions Manchester City for Germany back in August 2017 for £10m, is the first player born this century to be called up by England.

Manager Southgate explained, “It aligns with what we have done in the last 18 months.

“We’ve got a few injuries in the midfield in particular – Dele [Alli], Jesse [Lingard] and Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] have been missing – and Fabian Delph, so there is an opportunity there.

“Then we have a decision on which way we want to use that opportunity.

“We think there are some exciting young players that we’ve been tracking, either through their clubs or our junior teams.

“This is a great opportunity for us to look at them.”

England take on Croatia in the Nations League on Friday, October 12, before travelling to Spain on Monday, October 15.

Written by Dan Church Follow @DJChurch94