Excitement is at its peak as UEFA Euro 2024 is finally here. However, whilst football fans across the continent are salivating at the prospect of a month filled with one giant footballing festival, some national team managers may be feeling more nervous than others. Let’s take a look at which managers are under the most pressure to deliver in Germany this summer.
Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England manager has been a rollercoaster of emotions for fans. Having led the team to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, the current Three Lions boss has proven his ability to inspire and galvanise his squad. However, the famously fickle England supporters aren’t convinced that he is the right man for the job.
The argument made of those two deep runs is that England faced a relatively low level of opposition en route to the latter stages. And indeed, even in the games themselves, England headed into both as the favourites and couldn’t get the job done. They were defeated by Croatia thanks to Maro Mandzukic’s extra-time winner in Russia, before being stunned by Italy on penalties in the Euro final at Wembley.
That has turned many against Southgate and the recent 1-0 loss against Iceland in their final warm-up fixture before flying to Germany has only added fuel to the fire. Expectations are higher than ever for the England squad as the latest soccer betting lines and futures providers make them a +350 favourite to hoist the Euro 2024 trophy in Berlin on July 14th. Anything less than that will be seen as a disappointment and could well cost Southgate his job.
England boast perhaps their greatest squad ever assembled, with stars like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka leading the charge. This abundance of talent has created a “now or never” sentiment among supporters and pundits alike. Anything short of winning Euro 2024 would be seen as a failure, putting Southgate under immense pressure to deliver the nation’s first major trophy since 1966.
Julian Nagelsmann
Since Germany lifted the FIFA World Cup back in 2014, they have slid to perhaps the lowest point in their history. They have suffered back-to-back group stage eliminations in their last two forays onto the global stage and they were unceremoniously dumped out of the last European Championships by England in the summer of 2021. Over the last 18 months, their warm-ups for the Euros couldn’t have gone any worse, seeing them lose friendly matches to the likes of Poland, Colombia, Japan, Austria, and Turkey.
However, Julian Nagelsmann’s appointment as the successor to Hansi Flick and the subsequent introduction of Toni Kroos to the national team fold have rejuvenated Die Mannschaft. They have picked up victories against both France and the Netherlands in recent months and their upturn in form couldn’t have come at a better time. But still, that will all count for nothing if they falter in the early stages once again.
Nagelsmann is tasked not only with achieving results but also with implementing a new footballing philosophy. He must integrate young talents like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, while relying on experienced players such as Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer. Add to that the pressure that comes with hosting the tournament, and there can be no denying that his shoulders will be under some stress this summer.
Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez’s tenure as Belgium’s manager left a lot to be desired. Yes, they did eliminate Brazil en route to the 2018 World Cup semifinals, but they ultimately left Russia empty-handed. Add to that a quarterfinal exit at Euro 2020 and a shocking group stage exit at Qatar 2022, and looking at his stint as anything but a disappointment is impossible. So then, it came as somewhat of a surprise when he walked into the Portugal job immediately after being disposed of by Belgium.
Now at the helm of the Selecao, the former Wigan Athletic boss faces the challenge of guiding a team brimming with talent and ambition. Portugal has yet another golden generation of players, led by the veteran Cristiano Ronaldo, and supported by Bruno Fernandes, João Félix, and Bernardo Silva – stars who are eager to add another European Championship to their stats.
But despite all the talent at their disposal, Portugal is a team that has continued to falter on the grandest stage. Since winning Euro 2016, they have suffered second-round exits at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, as well as a quarterfinal loss at the hands of Morocco in Qatar.
They were the stars of qualifying for Euro 2024, just as Belgium often were under Martinez. They topped their group, winning all ten games and conceding just two goals in the process. Ronaldo was the second top scorer behind Romelu Lukaku, netting ten goals in as many games. And he will be hoping to add to his record of 130 international goals at the Euros.
The reason for the pressure on Martinez is that the Spaniard is out to prove that he has what it takes to be a top-level international manager. If things don’t work out with Portugal, he will probably never be hired by a top-ten-ranked nation ever again. and that could happen as soon as Euro 2024 if his new adopted country falters once again.
Didier Deschamps
Since Didier Deschamps took the reins of the French national team in 2012, he has led them to a World Cup victory in 2018 and a UEFA Nations League title in 2021. Despite these achievements, Les Bleus faced disappointment with a Round of 16 exit at Euro 2020 and a narrow defeat in the 2022 World Cup final. In the lead-up to Euro 2024, France’s preparation has been a mixed bag, with losses to Denmark and Croatia in the UEFA Nations League, raising concerns about their consistency.
Deschamps’ renewed focus and tactical adjustments have instilled fresh energy into the squad. The inclusion of emerging talents like Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni alongside stalwarts such as Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann has created a balanced team dynamic. Recent victories over Spain and Italy have bolstered confidence, yet the real test will be maintaining this momentum throughout the tournament.
The pressure and the glory of managing a national football team
Several managers face intense pressure to deliver silverware at Euro 2024. These managers must handle tactical demands and intense scrutiny from all sides. Success could cement their legacies, while failure might jeopardise their careers. The tournament will test their decisions, adaptability, and leadership, defining their careers and the futures of their teams. The pressure is immense, but so is the opportunity to shine.
