England head coach Gareth Southgate insisted that it was not the time to discuss his future in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

The 53-year-old's contract with the Three Lions is due to expire at the end of the year, and discussions over his future with the national team have been placed on hold this summer.

There have been suggestions that Southgate will stand down as head coach, but according to The Guardian, senior figures at the Football Association want him to lead the team into the 2026 World Cup.

The head coach was quizzed on his future shortly after the full-time whistle on Sunday evening, with England suffering late heartbreak in Berlin.

Cole Palmer had cancelled out an opener from Nico Williams to leave the two teams level, but Mikel Oyarzabal netted a late winner for Spain, as La Roja won a record-breaking fourth European Championship.

Southgate offers no guarantees over England future

"I don't think now is a good time to make a decision like that. I need to talk to the right people. It's not for now," Southgate told ITV Sport on Sunday night.

In a separate interview with BBC Sport, he said: "We've competed until the very end of the final. I think today we didn't keep possession of the ball quite well enough. We defended well but when you win the ball back you need to get out of that pressure.

"And we weren't able to do that. That meant they had more control of the game and that can wear you down a bit. That said we got the equaliser and then it was wide open. A big chance at the end to equalise so as always it is fine margins. I do think they were the best team in the tournament.

"England are in a really good position in terms of the experience they have. Most of this squad will be around for the World Cup and the next Euros. There's a lot to look forward to but at this moment it's not any consolation.

"I think Spain were the best team in the tournament. We didn't keep the ball well enough. We were in it until the last 10 minutes. I'm devastated for everyone. We have just fallen a little short.

Southgate's England deal expires in December

"We had a little bit of momentum in the game at that point [when Cole Palmer equalised]. There's a big chance at the end to equalise too but across the 90 minutes, I'm not sure we did enough.

"Spain press well and you have to keep the ball when you win it back. In the end, that's the bit that takes more out of your legs.

"I think the players will take enormous credit for getting us to where we did but when you're as close as that, you have to take your chances. They have represented the shirt with pride and haven't been beaten until the very end. I just think tonight Spain had more control of the game."

Ex-England internationals Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer all suggested after the defeat to Spain that they are expecting Southgate to depart his role.

The Three Lions will be back on the field at the start of September, with their UEFA Nations League campaign beginning against Republic of Ireland.