Declan Rice leaving Qatar after England’s loss to France (Picture: Ibraheem Al Omari/Reuters)

Declan Rice has urged Gareth Southgate to remain as England manager and lead his young side to a major trophy.

Holders France go on to face Morocco on Wednesday in the World Cup semi-finals after their victory but England know they were close to forcing extra-time.

Southgate’s future remains up in the air but West Ham midfielder Rice insisted the latest major tournament exit was not down to the boss.

‘For me, personally, I hope he stays,’ he said. ‘Obviously, I don’t know (if he will). There’s a lot of talk around that.

‘I think he’s been brilliant for us. There’s a lot of criticism that’s not deserved.

‘He’s taken us so, so far. He got everything spot on again, it’s not on him. It’s not on him at all – the tactics were right, we played the right way.

Rice consoled by England manager Gareth Southgate after France’s quarter-final win (Picture: Richard Sellers/Getty Images)

‘We were aggressive, we stopped [Kylian] Mbappe, he was quiet.

‘Ultimately, it was two goals against the run of play (that lost it) and that’s not down to the manager, it’s down to us on the pitch.

‘I really hope he stays because the core group we’ve got and what he’s made for us, it’s so special to be a part of.’

The 23-year-old started all five games at the World Cup and will be part of what could be a very bright future for the team which includes fellow young stars like Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.

‘We’ve got to a semi-final, Euros final, obviously crashed out here at a quarter-final but in my opinion the better team lost and that shows how far we have come,’ added Rice.

MORE : England midfielder Declan Rice is fit to face France, reveals Kalvin Phillips

MORE : Rio Ferdinand claims Gareth Southgate ‘let us down’ during England’s World Cup defeat to France

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

‘He’s taken us so, so far.’