Southgate SHELVES contract talks until after ‘Trafalgar Square victory party’

GARETH SOUTHGATE is dreaming of a Euro 2024 victory party in Trafalgar Square – after suspending talks over a new deal with England.

The Three Lions manager’s contract expires at the end of this year but FA chiefs want him to stay for the 2026 World Cup.

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And Southgate revealed talks have now been put on hold until after this summer’s Euros in Germany.

But he is open to new terms should England lift the trophy for the first time.

Southgate, 53, said: “We should think about that at the end of the tournament.

“I’m happy to talk about it briefly now, but I’m not going to talk about what’s next all summer.

“We have consciously suspended all discussions internally about what the next step could be.

“That’s because I think if we had signed a new contract before the tournament and done that, everyone would say, ‘Well, you did this with [Fabio] You and Capello have to prove yourself before you sign.”

“I’m relaxed about that and I have no idea where we’ll be in mid-July other than I hope it’s Trafalgar Square and let’s get the party started.”

Despite the FA wanting him to continue in the role he started in 2016, Southgate believes signing a deal before the Euros would hamper the squad.

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He added: “I think this could negatively affect the reaction to the team.

“The team needs as clean a run as possible at this tournament, so my job is to take the pressure off where possible.

“We have to accept some pressure because we are one of the favorites.

“But I don’t want to add anything extra to the team either.

“We could make the whole place stink and everyone wants a shot from me.

“So there is no point in speculating about what could happen. I don’t think we’re going to stink up the place though.”

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