However, England’s form has been dismal since Euro 2020, which saw them relegated to Tier B of the UEFA Nations League.
As a result, speculation over Southgate’s future has been rife.
And when asked about Tuchel and Pochettino being interested in his job, Southgate had this to say:
“Maybe we’ve made the impossible just look possible,” said Southgate. “We’ve made it look possible [to win] and it’s exciting for other people and I can understand that.”
He added: “I think in between all of the tournaments we have looked at different ways that might be the right way, might not be the right way, individuals, see how they might fit in, what they might bring to the group,” said Southgate.
“Of course, the results in the summer were the thing that created the tension around September in particular. But Germany was the game we highlighted to put as stronger a team out as possible.
“The rest, it was bizarre really. We were playing international football but managing minutes like a pre-season and trying to avoid important players getting injured.
“We had to accept the criticism that came with that and it is understandable. We don’t lose a home game 4-0 and expect to walk off without criticism of the result and the performance. That’s my responsibility, I have to do that.
“But it is also my responsibility to remind the players that actually there is a lot they’ve done well and coming into this tournament, they shouldn’t be focusing on the recent past.
“It is hard to talk about form because you are always six weeks, two months between games in international football so what actually is form?”
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2022 World Cup: 101 best & funniest FIFA World Cup Fantasy team names
