England manager Gareth Southgate had doubts over his future ahead of the World Cup but is now targeting Euro 2024 success.
The Three Lions reached the quarter-finals in Qatar, losing 2-1 to eventual runners-up France, though had up to that point been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament.
Yet his position had been called into question in some quarters given England's poor form prior to the World Cup.
After starting 2022 with friendly wins over Switzerland and Ivory Coast in March, England failed to win any of their six Nations League matches, with their campaign including a humbling 4-0 home defeat to Hungary.
A 3-3 draw with Germany in September gave Southgate cause for optimism, but he conceded he came close to calling it a day.
"The doubts I had came before the [World Cup], really," Southgate told reporters after naming his squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
"I spoke about this a couple of months ago so I'm going over old ground, but I never wanted to be a divisive figure, in terms of me doing the job affecting the performance of the team.
"Then there would be a debate where people say 'I'd rather you lose so you're gone'. I did worry before the World Cup whether I should say I was going at the end, to allow the team the freedom to play.
"I decided not to do that, because when we left Wembley after the Germany game there was an uplift with the mood, and we've always known where we stand with the players.
"I also wanted to show that you've got to come through tough spells as a manager, I'm not going to duck a challenge just because there's criticism.
"But if there's not the level of support and it starts to affect the team, that's something I'm conscious of and that was my thought well ahead of Qatar."
Having committed to staying on for the Euros in Germany next year, Southgate is now looking for a fresh start as he set out his aim for England to go a step further than they managed in the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, when they lost to Italy on penalties in the final.
"I think it's right to assess after a tournament," he added. "We have to start from scratch.
"We have some great experiences over the last few years, which mean being European champions is a realistic aim.
"But we're starting from the beginning again, and we've got to find the hunger to qualify.
"We've got two crucial games and we need everybody firing for two really difficult qualifiers."
Southgate stuck with the majority of his World Cup squad for the first fixtures of 2023, though Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben White both missed out, with Conor Coady replaced by March Guehi.
Ivan Toney was included despite an ongoing Football Association (FA) investigation into alleged breaches of gambling rules, while Raheem Sterling was absent due to injury.
Bailey, Nicholson headline 23-man Reggae Boyz squad for Mexico CONCACAF Nations League clash
Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey and Spartak Moscow striker Shamar Nicholson headline a 23-man squad named by the Jamaica Football Federation on Monday for the CONCACAF Nations League fixture between the Reggae Boyz and Mexico at the Azteca on March 26.
Bailey and Nicholson are two of a number of players who were not apart of the squad for the two friendlies against the Soca Warriors in Jamaica last week.
Defenders Damion Lowe, Amari’i Bell and Kemar Lawrence are also among those who have returned to the squad while regular skipper Andre Blake remains absent through injury.
The match will commence at 7:00pm JA time (8:00pm ET).
The full squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: Jahmali Waite (Pittsburgh Riverhounds), Coniah Boyce-Clarke (Reading), Amal Knight (Lexington), Defenders: Amari’i Bell (Luton Town), Ethan Pinnock (Brentford), Dexter Lembikisa (Wolves), Adrian Mariappa (Unattached), Damion Lowe (Philadelphia Union), Richard King (Cavalier), Javain Brown (Vancouver Whitecaps), Kemar Lawrence (Minnesota United), Midfielders: Jonathan Russell (Barnsley), Bobby Reid (Fulham), Demario Phillips (Mt. Pleasant), Kevon Lambert (Phoenix Rising), Daniel Johnson (Preston North End), Ravel Morrison (DC United), Kaheem Parris (Dynamo Kyiv), Forwards: Jamal Lowe (Bournemouth), Cory Burke (NY Red Bulls), Trivante Stewart (Mt. Pleasant), Shamar Nicholson (Spartak Moscow), Leon Bailey (Aston Villa)
St Kitts & Nevis announces squad for Nations League matches against St Martin and Aruba
The St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) has revealed the names of the players for the St. Kitts-Nevis Senior Men National Team for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches versus French St. Martin and Aruba on March 23rd and 27th respectively. The squad is listed below.
Goalkeepers: Julani Archibald (Lorca) (Spain), Jamal Jeffers (St. Paul’s Utd FC) and Stephen Vibert (Bath Utd FC)
Defenders: Lois Maynard (Oldham) (UK), Gerard Williams (Trau FC) (India), Raheem Hanley (Stalybridge Celtic (UK), Mikkel Hirst (Romulus) (UK), Andre Burley (Oxford City) (UK), Jameel Ible (Guiseley AFC) (UK), Dijhorn Simmonds (Cayon Rockets FC), and Malique Roberts (Cayon Rockets FC.
Midfielders: Romaine Sawyers (Cardiff City) (UK), Mervin Lewis (Cayon Rockets FC), Tyrese Shade (Swindon Town) (UK), Kalonji Clarke (St. Paul’s Utd FC), Omari Sterling-James (Ebbsfleet) (UK), Tyquan Terrell (St. Peter’s FC) and Yohannes Mitchum (Newtown Utd FC) (SKN).
Forwards: Carlos Bertie (Cayon Rockets FC), Tiquanny Williams (Old Road Jets FC), Tishan Hanley (Prime Bangkok) (Thailand), Keithroy Freeman (St. Paul’s Utd FC) and Harrison Panayiotou (Maidenhead) (UK).
PSV impose 40-year stadium ban on man who attacked Sevilla goalkeeper Dmitrovic
PSV have handed the man who attacked Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic during their Europa League meeting a 40-year stadium ban.
The Eredivisie club were eliminated from the competition despite a 2-0 second-leg victory in their knockout round play-off tie last month at Philips Stadion, having lost 3-0 in Spain.
Ugly scenes marred the final moments of clash in Eindhoven, however, when a 20-year-old supporter entered the pitch and attacked Dmitrovic, who subsequently pinned the man before security escorted him away.
The man in question was given an initial two-month prison stint on March 8, and sentenced to an additional one-month inside if he re-offends.
PSV have now confirmed he will face further long-term punishment for his actions, with a stadium ban stretching until 2063.
"PSV [have] imposed a 40-year-long ban on the individual who invaded the pitch during the Europa League match against Sevilla," the club said in a statement.
"The 40-year-long ban comes on top of a possible fine imposed by UEFA. The pitch invader is currently serving a three-month sentence with one month suspended imposed by the East Brabant District Court.
"He is also barred from the area around the stadium for two years."
PSV also revealed the individual had already been serving a ban from the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
Sevilla secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League last week following a 2-1 aggregate victory over Fenerbahce.
They will face Manchester United in the last eight in April, after the international break.
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