Gareth Southgate credits Joe Hart for him still being England manager in strange interview reference at Euro 2024 draw

England were drawn into Group C at the Euro 2024 draw on Saturday, along with Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia. The two sides faced each other in 2016 in what was Southgate's second game in charge, when they drew 1-1, but the Three Lions were indebted to Hart's brilliant saves. At the time, Southgate said that his side were a "mess", although they went on to beat the same opposition at Wembley 1-0 to reach the 2018 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.

That draw with Slovenia came on the back of a 2-0 win over Malta, but the Three Lions have since gone from strength to strength. They reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and the final of the European Championships in 2021, while they lost to finalists France in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. This may be Southgate's last chance to win a trophy with the team, amid hints this could be his final tournament.

Speaking to reporters after the World Cup draw, Southgate said: "Slovenia was one of the first games I had as England manager and I'll always remember that Joe Hart made a save that day, that if he doesn't make it I might not still be England manager. You do think back to those moments."

England will now begin their preparations for the tournament next summer. It remains to be seen where they will base themselves, but the first game will take place on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen against Serbia.