Gareth Southgate is under contract with the Football Association until 2024 (Picture: Getty)

Gareth Southgate insists he needs time to ‘reflect’ before confirming he is ready to continue as England manager after a painful defeat against France.

The Three Lions boss is under contract until the summer of 2024 when England will be among the favourites to win the Euros and go one better than they did on home soil 18 months ago.

After promising so much in Qatar, England’s World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end against France on Saturday as the holders chiseled out a victory despite being second best for large periods of the contest.

Les Bleus took a first-half lead through Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range effort but Harry Kane’s penalty 10 minutes after the re-start brought England level.

Southgate’s side looked the more likely winners at that stage but Olivier Giroud’s header proved decisive before Kane spurned another opportunity from the spot to take the game to extra time.

Asked about his future after the game, a clearly emotional Southgate told ITV: I think after every tournament we’ve sat and reviewed and reflected.

‘That needs a little bit of time to make sure that everybody makes the right decisions.’

More to follow…