Southgate assures new contract won’t disrupt World Cup plans

Gareth Southgate

emphasized that signing a new contract with

would not have an impact on their chances of success at the

.

The England tactician became the manager of the national team in 2016, helping his side make it to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup before leading them to the

final.

The ex-Middlesbrough manager penned a four-year deal in 2016 but his stay was extended to 2022 after his impressive leadership.

That deal is due to reach its end in 2022 and reports claim that a new two-year deal is expected.

England are preparing to face

on Monday and a point is sufficient for them to get World Cup qualification and Southgate insisted that penning a contract before the tournament won’t disrupt plans for Qatar.

"You would never have a contract if you didn't judge somebody before a tournament, so I think on the back of two tournaments and progress made, that's a more acceptable sort of conversation to be having,"

Southgate told reporters.

"I think we have tried to do it professionally by focusing on the summer, professionally by focusing on qualification and then we will see where it leads after that."

According to the manager’s comments in September, he is willing to return to club football at some point in the future. however, the 51-year-old is now concentrating on his young squad as they aim to seal qualification and win their first major trophy since 1966.

"

We have responded well to every hurdle that has been thrown at us across a calendar year in which we have had total contrast in terms of the quality of opponent we have played,"

he added.

"The mentality has been good. That is why in 90 minutes and extra time, we haven't been beaten.

"That is a record we want to keep building on. We have got the best defensive record in Europe, in terms of goals to games. We are fourth in terms of goals scored and chances created. It is a good challenge to try to improve on it [against San Marino]."

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