Gareth Southgate has said he does not want to “outstay his welcome” as England manager and that now is not the “appropriate time” to think about extending his deal as national boss.

The 50-year-old has hinted that greater things could still come from the current England team – but he admitted he needs a break after his side were beaten on penalties by Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley.

Live reaction as England lose on penalties and online racism condemned

Southgate is contracted as England manager until after the 2022 winter World Cup in Qatar.

He said: “I don’t want to commit to anything longer than I should and I don’t want to outstay my welcome so all of those things need consideration.

“I want to take the team to Qatar, I feel we have made progress over the four years, we have had a fourth, a third and a second-placed finish and that is as good as anyone.”

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has said during Euro 2020 that he wants to hand Southgate a new deal.

But Southgate said: “I don’t think now is an appropriate time to think about anything.

“We have got to qualify for Qatar, but I need some time to go away and watch the game and reflect on the whole tournament, I need a rest.

“It is an amazing experience, but to lead your country in these tournaments takes its toll and I need a break now.”

He said he is excited about the potential of the England side, which he also led to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

“Russia was the beginning, we had seven in the starting team from Russia and that experience has been critical through the big matches in this tournament,” he said.

“So to add the young players in at the time we did, there is another group with more learning and understanding.

“Because of what they have been through in these two tournaments, they will have a belief that they can get close.

“The cycle and the expectation of the group will know what’s needed to get to the level to get to win and that should be a process that stands us in good stead.

“All of this team can go again, there’s no doubt about that, but the young ones are still two, four years from peaking and we’ve got 18, 19, 20-year-olds who have done an incredible job and had a great insight into tournament football.”

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