England coach Gareth Southgate and defender Kieran Trippier leave the team hotel in Doha and head for home on December 11, 2022, the day after losing their World Cup quarter-final against France. AFP
England coach Gareth Southgate and defender Kieran Trippier leave the team hotel in Doha and head for home on December 11, 2022, the day after losing their World Cup quarter-final against France. AFP
England's Jude Bellingham outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel, Qatar. PA
England's Jude Bellingham outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel, Qatar. PA
England's Kalvin Phillips outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England's Kalvin Phillips outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England's Jude Bellingham leaves the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England's Jude Bellingham leaves the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England's Declan Rice holding an ice pack outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England's Declan Rice holding an ice pack outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England forward Callum Wilson leaves the team hotel in Doha. AFP
England forward Callum Wilson leaves the team hotel in Doha. AFP
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford leaves the team hotel. AFP
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford leaves the team hotel. AFP
England defender John Stones on his way home. AFP
England defender John Stones on his way home. AFP
England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold heads back to Liverpool. AFP
England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold heads back to Liverpool. AFP
Midfielder Jordan Henderson boards the team bus. AFP
Midfielder Jordan Henderson boards the team bus. AFP
Jude Bellingham takes photos with fans. PA
Jude Bellingham takes photos with fans. PA
England's Luke Shaw, centre, outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England's Luke Shaw, centre, outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
Raheem Sterling on his way back to rejoin Chelsea. PA
Raheem Sterling on his way back to rejoin Chelsea. PA
England manager Gareth Southgate leaves the hotel. Reuters
England manager Gareth Southgate leaves the hotel. Reuters
England's Callum Wilson leaves the hotel. Reuters
England's Callum Wilson leaves the hotel. Reuters
England's Aaron Ramsdale leaves the hotel. Reuters
England's Aaron Ramsdale leaves the hotel. Reuters
England's James Maddison outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England's James Maddison outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
Declan Rice outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel, Qatar. PA
Declan Rice outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel, Qatar. PA
England depart from Qatar after losing their quarter-final against France. Reuters
England depart from Qatar after losing their quarter-final against France. Reuters
England's Harry Maguire waits on a coach outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England's Harry Maguire waits on a coach outside the Souq Al Wakra hotel. PA
England depart from Qatar. Reuters
England depart from Qatar. Reuters

World Cup

Gareth Southgate to stay on as England manager after World Cup

FA announce that he will lead team into 2024 European Championship

Stuart James
Stuart James

December 18, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Gareth Southgate is set to continue as England manager, the Football Association announced on Sunday.

After the 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to reigning champions France last weekend, Southgate said he was considering his future.

The 52-year-old's contract runs until after the 2024 European Championship but Southgate said after the France exit that he felt “conflicted” about staying in the role after a difficult 18 months.

“Whenever I’ve finished these tournaments I’ve needed time to make the correct decision because emotionally you go through so many different feelings and the energy that it takes through these tournaments is enormous,” he said.

But yesterday the FA said in a statement: “We are delighted to confirm that Gareth Southgate is continuing as England manager and will lead our Euro 2024 campaign.

“Gareth and (assistant) Steve Holland have always had our full support and our planning for the Euros starts now.”

Southgate, the former England Under-21 manager, was hired in 2016 in the midst of a crisis. England had suffered a humiliating loss to Iceland in that year’s European Championship.

England v France ratings

ENGLAND RATINGS: Jordan Pickford – 6. England’s No 1 did well despite conceding twice. He saw Tchouameni’s effort late for France’s first, and he could do nothing about Giroud’s bullet header. He kept England in the game to deny France at close-range with an acrobatic save. EPA
ENGLAND RATINGS: Jordan Pickford – 6. England’s No 1 did well despite conceding twice. He saw Tchouameni’s effort late for France’s first, and he could do nothing about Giroud’s bullet header. He kept England in the game to deny France at close-range with an acrobatic save. EPA
Kyle Walker – 7. Tasked with handling Mbappe, a big performance was needed, and he did better than most players this tournament. He marshalled him well and even managed to attack several times in the second half. AFP
Kyle Walker – 7. Tasked with handling Mbappe, a big performance was needed, and he did better than most players this tournament. He marshalled him well and even managed to attack several times in the second half. AFP
John Stones – 6. The Manchester City defender was guilty of losing Giroud in the first half to allow a headed chance, but he did show off some good passing play, with England playing out from the back. Getty
John Stones – 6. The Manchester City defender was guilty of losing Giroud in the first half to allow a headed chance, but he did show off some good passing play, with England playing out from the back. Getty
Harry Maguire – 6. The Manchester United centre-back looked strong, making several good clearances, especially from a Mbappe cross which was heading straight to Giroud. He also nearly scored, but his header fizzed just wide. However, he was also partially at fault for France’s second as he allowed Giroud to get in front of him and head the ball home. AP
Harry Maguire – 6. The Manchester United centre-back looked strong, making several good clearances, especially from a Mbappe cross which was heading straight to Giroud. He also nearly scored, but his header fizzed just wide. However, he was also partially at fault for France’s second as he allowed Giroud to get in front of him and head the ball home. AP
Luke Shaw – 6. The left-back was found often diving in a bit too early on challenges in the first half, but he stepped up his game in the second with a brilliant attacking run leading to a cross to Saka, which was met and fired just wide. AFP
Luke Shaw – 6. The left-back was found often diving in a bit too early on challenges in the first half, but he stepped up his game in the second with a brilliant attacking run leading to a cross to Saka, which was met and fired just wide. AFP
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Quarter Final - England v France - Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar - December 11, 2022 England's Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham look dejected after the match as England are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS / Annegret Hilse
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Quarter Final - England v France - Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar - December 11, 2022 England's Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham look dejected after the match as England are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS / Annegret Hilse
Declan Rice – 7. England’s midfield anchor went under the radar in the first half, but grew into the game and helped England’s transitions from defence to attack. Formed a great barrier in front of the defence too. Getty
Declan Rice – 7. England’s midfield anchor went under the radar in the first half, but grew into the game and helped England’s transitions from defence to attack. Formed a great barrier in front of the defence too. Getty
Jordan Henderson – 7. Liverpool’s captain gave everything. Constantly chasing the ball down, he also helped to create many attacking plays for England. AFP
Jordan Henderson – 7. Liverpool’s captain gave everything. Constantly chasing the ball down, he also helped to create many attacking plays for England. AFP
Jude Bellingham – 6. The midfielder was wasteful with his passing in the first half. His second half was much better, and he nearly scored a thunderbolt but Lloris tipped it over. EPA
Jude Bellingham – 6. The midfielder was wasteful with his passing in the first half. His second half was much better, and he nearly scored a thunderbolt but Lloris tipped it over. EPA
Bukayo Saka – 8. Arsenal’s wideman was England’s standout performer. Constantly fouled, he had Theo Hernandez on toast, and was key to England’s attacking play. He was brought down in the box for the first penalty, and played well until he was taken off in the 78th minute. Getty
Bukayo Saka – 8. Arsenal’s wideman was England’s standout performer. Constantly fouled, he had Theo Hernandez on toast, and was key to England’s attacking play. He was brought down in the box for the first penalty, and played well until he was taken off in the 78th minute. Getty
Phil Foden – 7. The City winger improved as the game went on and caused Kounde vast trouble out on the left flank. His quality of delivery was quality, and his standout attribute was his close interplay in tight areas. Reuters
Phil Foden – 7. The City winger improved as the game went on and caused Kounde vast trouble out on the left flank. His quality of delivery was quality, and his standout attribute was his close interplay in tight areas. Reuters
Harry Kane – 6. England’s captain led the line with distinction, carrying the ball forward well and getting several powerful shots away. His first penalty was converted brilliantly, but suffered heartbreak with penalty number two. Getty
Harry Kane – 6. England’s captain led the line with distinction, carrying the ball forward well and getting several powerful shots away. His first penalty was converted brilliantly, but suffered heartbreak with penalty number two. Getty
SUBS: Raheem Sterling (Saka 78’) – N/A. After returning to the squad, Sterling was brought on in the late phases and didn’t have a huge impact, with his key moment a good tackle on Mbappe to stop an attack. EPA
SUBS: Raheem Sterling (Saka 78’) – N/A. After returning to the squad, Sterling was brought on in the late phases and didn’t have a huge impact, with his key moment a good tackle on Mbappe to stop an attack. EPA
SUBS: Mason Mount (Henderson 78’) – N/A. Mount was fouled in the box soon after coming on and VAR helped to award a penalty. He also drew a number of fouls, but his decision making at times wasn’t always brilliant. AFP
SUBS: Mason Mount (Henderson 78’) – N/A. Mount was fouled in the box soon after coming on and VAR helped to award a penalty. He also drew a number of fouls, but his decision making at times wasn’t always brilliant. AFP
Marcus Rashford (Foden 84) – N/A. Being one of England’s most in-form players this tournament, he was brought on in the latter stages and fired over with a late free-kick. AP
Marcus Rashford (Foden 84) – N/A. Being one of England’s most in-form players this tournament, he was brought on in the latter stages and fired over with a late free-kick. AP
Jack Grealish (Stones, 90) – N/A. A strange substitute in the final minute, as there was very little he could add to the game. Getty
Jack Grealish (Stones, 90) – N/A. A strange substitute in the final minute, as there was very little he could add to the game. Getty
FRANCE RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 8. The France captain stepped up and made a number of key stops to deny Kane in the first half and Bellingham in the second. He led from the back with a true captain’s performance. AFP
FRANCE RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 8. The France captain stepped up and made a number of key stops to deny Kane in the first half and Bellingham in the second. He led from the back with a true captain’s performance. AFP
Jules Kounde – 6. The Barcelona defender had a tough evening, with Foden often getting the better of him along his flank. EPA
Jules Kounde – 6. The Barcelona defender had a tough evening, with Foden often getting the better of him along his flank. EPA
Raphael Varane – 6. The experienced defender contributed some slick passes but like his teammates looked nervous at times. AFP
Raphael Varane – 6. The experienced defender contributed some slick passes but like his teammates looked nervous at times. AFP
Dayot Upamecano – 5. France’s weakest link in the team on the day, the defender was lucky to get away with numerous fouls throughout the game, with one on Kane leading to a VAR check. Constantly dived into challenges. AP
Dayot Upamecano – 5. France’s weakest link in the team on the day, the defender was lucky to get away with numerous fouls throughout the game, with one on Kane leading to a VAR check. Constantly dived into challenges. AP
Theo Hernandez – 5. Struggled to keep up with Saka, the left-back seemed at odds with how to handle the Arsenal winger. He gave away a penalty after fouling Mount in the box and was lucky to not be sent off. A poor performer in an overall good team performance. PA
Theo Hernandez – 5. Struggled to keep up with Saka, the left-back seemed at odds with how to handle the Arsenal winger. He gave away a penalty after fouling Mount in the box and was lucky to not be sent off. A poor performer in an overall good team performance. PA
Albert Tchouameni – 7. The young midfielder put France ahead and ignited their progression with a thundering strike from outside the box. He did, however, give away the first penalty with a bad tackle on Saka. AFP
Albert Tchouameni – 7. The young midfielder put France ahead and ignited their progression with a thundering strike from outside the box. He did, however, give away the first penalty with a bad tackle on Saka. AFP
Adrien Rabiot – 6. The Juventus midfielder was lucky to get away with several fouls, with Saka the victim time and again. He did however set up some good chances, breaking forward with purpose, and having a shot of his own denied by Pickford. AFP
Adrien Rabiot – 6. The Juventus midfielder was lucky to get away with several fouls, with Saka the victim time and again. He did however set up some good chances, breaking forward with purpose, and having a shot of his own denied by Pickford. AFP
Ousmane Dembele – 6. The rapid winger contributed several one-touch passes down the line leading to attacking chances. His dribbling was of high quality too, but his second half performance was tarnished by missed chances and several fouls before being taken off. AFP
Ousmane Dembele – 6. The rapid winger contributed several one-touch passes down the line leading to attacking chances. His dribbling was of high quality too, but his second half performance was tarnished by missed chances and several fouls before being taken off. AFP
Antoine Griezmann – 8. Operating well in the No 10 role, the Atletico attacker had a good game, showcasing his close control footwork and making a number of good runs forward and sending the England players in several directions. He did give away a number of fouls, but was key in his teams winning performance. PA
Antoine Griezmann – 8. Operating well in the No 10 role, the Atletico attacker had a good game, showcasing his close control footwork and making a number of good runs forward and sending the England players in several directions. He did give away a number of fouls, but was key in his teams winning performance. PA
Kylian Mbappe – 6. France’s dangerman spent the game tightly man-marked but still managed to escape on numerous occasions. He had a chance late in the first half but blazed over. AFP
Kylian Mbappe – 6. France’s dangerman spent the game tightly man-marked but still managed to escape on numerous occasions. He had a chance late in the first half but blazed over. AFP
Oliver Giroud – 8. The nation’s leading goalscorer didn’t disappoint, adding another to his tally to send his team through to the semi-finals, heading home a cross late on in the 88th minute. He had several shots throughout and even attempted a scorpion kick. Reuters
Oliver Giroud – 8. The nation’s leading goalscorer didn’t disappoint, adding another to his tally to send his team through to the semi-finals, heading home a cross late on in the 88th minute. He had several shots throughout and even attempted a scorpion kick. Reuters
SUBS: Kingsley Coman (Dembele 79’) – N/A. The lone substitute came on in the 78th minute and his biggest contribution was a foul he gave away after he took down Maguire on the edge of his own box. EPA
SUBS: Kingsley Coman (Dembele 79’) – N/A. The lone substitute came on in the 78th minute and his biggest contribution was a foul he gave away after he took down Maguire on the edge of his own box. EPA

Sam Allardyce then became England manager but lasted one game and 67 days after he was filmed by undercover journalists giving advice about how to get around an outlawed player transfer practice and trying to cash in on his job with speaking engagements.

Southgate led England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and the final of last summer’s European Championship, where they lost on penalties to Italy, before reaching the last eight in Qatar.

But he was booed by England fans following a 4-0 Nations League defeat to Hungary in June. England were relegated to the tournament's League B after a series of poor results.

But performances at the World Cup were promising, and saw the emergence of 19-year-old Jude Bellingham as a force for the future, as well as impressive displays from fellow youngsters such as Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.

The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe


Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder

Transmission: six-speed manual

Power: 395bhp

Torque: 420Nm

Price: from Dh321,200

On sale: now

UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

Updated: December 18, 2022, 1:49 PM`
World Cup