Mark Bullingham: No Formal Inquiries on Southgate

Mark Bullingham, the CEO of the FA, stated that there have been no formal inquiries regarding England manager Gareth Southgate’s availability, but hinted that contingency plans are in place should he depart. Southgate’s contract is set to expire in December after eight years at the helm with indications that his tenure could hinge on England’s performance in Euro 2024. Bullingham emphasized that discussions about Southgate’s future will occur after the tournament, respecting Southgate’s focus on current responsibilities. He expressed admiration for Southgate’s impact, both in transforming team culture and delivering strong on-field performances, citing their record in knockout matches since 1966.

Regarding succession planning, Bullingham clarified that while no talks with potential successors have taken place, it’s standard practice to prepare for various scenarios involving key personnel. He underscored the need to support the team’s current focus on the tournament. When questioned about Southgate’s future depending on Euro 2024 outcomes, Mark Bullingham cautioned against setting arbitrary benchmarks, emphasizing the importance of holistic evaluation post-tournament. He also addressed preferences for a successor, noting the value of having a pool of top domestic talent in managerial roles.

On the topic of security concerns at England’s Euros opener against Serbia, Bullingham deferred to local authorities and UEFA, highlighting past positive fan behavior and expressing confidence in German policing capabilities. He urged fans to responsibly support the team during the event. Additionally, Bullingham announced the FA’s financial support for the UK Football Policing Unit to combat racial abuse on social media, following incidents involving England players like Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. The FA’s contribution aims to aid in investigating and prosecuting such offenses effectively.