Gareth Southgate has admitted that he faces the sack if England performs poorly at the World Cup.

Southgate is currently under pressure after overseeing a five-game winless run, which includes a 1-0 defeat to Italy that relegated England to League B of the Nations League.

Although his current contract expires in December 2024, the England boss has admitted that his job will be at risk if England fail to perform in Qatar.

Speaking ahead of Monday's clash with Germany, Southgate said: "I am not foolish - my sole focus at the moment is to get the team right for tomorrow and then we are focusing on a good performance and a good result.

"But I know ultimately I will be judged on what happens at that World Cup. Contracts are irrelevant in football because managers can have three, four, five-year contracts and you accept that if results are not good enough it is time to go your separate ways.

"Why would I be any different? I am not arrogant enough to think that my contract is going to protect me in any way."

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After previously being backed by the FA, the England boss was asked about the support he has received from his bosses.

In response, Southgate said: "And I am absolutely appreciative of that. But of course we understand how the mood changes with the results and has changed.

"I am realistic about that and I will be judged on what we do in Qatar and I am perfectly happy to be judged in that way. History is history and you are judged on the next match and the next tournament."

Southgate will hope to avoid an unwanted piece of history when his side face Germany, with England at risk of going six straight competitive games without a win for the very first time.