RHYTHM QATAR
Kane insists England are improving all the time and urges boss Southgate to stay on after World Cup finals
HARRY KANE has urged Gareth Southgate to stay on as England boss beyond the World Cup.
Southgate’s current deal runs until Qatar 2022 and his longterm future remains unclear.
The Three Lions face Albania tonight and San Marino on Monday in their final two World Cup qualifiers before Southgate is expected to hold talks with FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.
It remains to be seen if Southgate, who took charge in 2016, is willing to continue as England manager after next winter’s tournament but skipper Kane would love him to sign a new contract.
Kane said: “From a player’s point of view, I don’t think it matters if it’s decided before the World Cup or not.
“But I speak for a lot of players and I get on very well with the manager and think he’s been great. His record speaks for itself. I still feel like we’re improving as a team. A semi-final of a World Cup and European final, we’re heading in the right direction so, of course, I’d love him to stay.
“It will come down to him and the FA, so we’ll see how that goes.”
Southgate, meanwhile, will be without Luke Shaw and Declan Rice for the visit of the Albanians and is also expected to be missing Mason Mount following dental surgery.
But Kane will be there despite his poor form for Spurs so far this season.
The striker admits he still bears the mental scars four months on from his dream of leading England to glory in the Euro 2020 final was snatched away from him.
Kane, who also saw a summer move to Manchester City blocked, said: “A lot of people talk about physically what tournaments take out of you but I think mentally you go through a lot too.
“You go through the highs and lows of a major tournament, coming so close to a dream and it being taken away from you in such a quick moment.
“Then it was my first summer of transfer speculation. You’re having to deal with those situations so, of course, it takes a toll mentally.”
Kane’s slow start to the season has seen him score just one goal from his nine starts.
That contributed to Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking as boss but the hitman has vowed the goals will flow again.
He added: “I came off the back of a tournament where you’re physically tired, you’re mentally tired.
“Then, three weeks later, the league is pretty much starting and you’re straight back into it.
“It’s never easy just to switch that mode back
on and start firing on all cylinders again. Your body needs time to respond.
“It’s been a disappointing start but my form will come. I always believe I can score at any moment.”