Paul Simpson backs Gareth Southgate decision to stay as England boss

The pair worked together at the FA during Simpson’s time as World Cup-winning Under-20s manager.

And, after the senior men’s side went out of the Qatar World Cup at the quarter-final stage, Southgate has now confirmed that he will carry on at the Three Lions helm.

Chief executive Mark Bullingham said today that the FA were "delighted" Southgate was continuing and would lead England in their Euro 2024 campaign.

"Gareth and [assistant] Steve Holland have always had our full support, and our planning for the Euros starts now," he said.

Southgate, immediately after England's World Cup exit to France, said he was "conflicted" about the future.

But reports on Saturday night pointed towards Southgate indeed remaining, and today's news rubber-stamps that.

Simpson believes Southgate’s work both with the national side and in helping transform the culture of the England set-up justifies his retention.

“He’s done an incredible job in the five or six years as the senior manager, and 11 years at the FA," said the Carlisle United boss.

“I just think the work that him, started by Dan [Ashworth] and Gareth, has changed the whole environment of that England set-up.

“I hope he’s able to enjoy it and bring a trophy back at some point for us.”

After England’s last-eight defeat to holders France - who take on Argentina in today's final - Southgate said he was uncertain about the future.

Gareth Southgate with Paul Simpson, Lewis Cook and Steve Cooper at the 2018 PFA awards (Image: PA)

He said he needed time to reflect on the situation, and said the memory of stinging criticism after England’s poor Nations League campaign was still fresh.

The 52-year-old's decision to continue rules out the prospect of the FA looking at alternatives, including bookies’ frontrunners Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter.

Simpson, who led the Under-20s to World Cup glory in 2017, meanwhile added that he was disappointed the senior side fell at the last-eight hurdle to Didier Deschamps' France.

“I’m massively disappointed,” he said, speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria at his weekly press conference.

“Myself and [my wife] Jacqui invited all the [Carlisle United] staff and their partners over at our house last Saturday night for some food and drink – we planned it as a thank-you for their work, and it just happened that the England game was on the TVs in the house so we all watched that.

“There was a big anti-climax at the end – apart from Ross [Goodwin], our Scottish physio, he was the only one who wasn’t disappointed, but they’ve had another Christmas or summer off anyway as Scotland normally do…

“It was really disappointing but I do think we performed very well against a good team.

Former Carlisle United player Paul Nevin, far right, is part of Southgate's England coaching team (Image: PA)

“I didn’t think we deserved to lose but I also don’t think we deserved to win it.

“It’s just those fine margins at that level, if they don’t go your way you end up getting on the plane home.”

Simpson said he sent a consoling message to Southgate after the 2-1 defeat.

“I can’t remember exactly what I said but I did text him and just said I was gutted for them all and that I thought they were so close but so far away,” Carlisle’s manager added.

“I said to him to go and enjoy some time with his family. I don’t think he can have many regrets about it, I thought the decisions he made were right and I thought his substitutions were right.

“There was criticism in the game he put Jordan Henderson on, but there was a reason and it was effective.

“The subs he made in all of the games were effective, it’s just all down to fine margins and if you fall the wrong side of them you go out of the competition and go home.”

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