GARETH: IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD IF I

GARETH SOUTHGATE has admitted he will be facing the axe if England flop at the World Cup.

Southgate’s (pictured) current contract expires in December 2024 but the England manager says that will mean nothing if his team does not perform in Qatar this winter.

Under-pressure Southgate is facing the biggest test of his sixyear reign and if they fail to beat Germany it would be the first time England have gone six competitive games without a win.

Southgate said: “I am not foolish — my sole focus at the moment is to get the team right for tomorrow and then we are focusing on a good performance and a good result.

Judged

“But I know ultimately I will be judged on what happens at that World Cup.

“Contracts are irrelevant in football because managers can have three, four, five-year contracts and you accept that if results are not good enough it is time to go your separate ways.

“Why would I be any different? I am not arrogant enough to think that my contract is going to protect me in any way.”

The Football Association in England gave Southgate a new deal last year in the expectation that he would lead them into the next Euros and as a reward for him reaching the World Cup semi-final and Euros final e.

FA bosses have also backed Southgate publicly but the manager admitted the mood has changed because of the disastrous Nations League campaign which has ended in relegation and the Germany game at Wembley is now a dead rubber.

Mood

When asked about the FA’s backing, Southgate added: “And I am absolutely appreciative of that.

“But of course we understand how the mood changes with the results and has changed.

“I am realistic about that and I