Gareth Southgate has admitted he will be facing the axe if England flop at the World Cup.
Southgate's current contract expires in December 2024 but the England manager says that will mean nothing if his team does not perform in Qatar this winter.
Under-pressure Southgate is facing the biggest test of his six-year reign and if they fail to beat Germany it would also be the first time England have gone six competitive games without a win.
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.”
The Football Association gave Southgate a new deal last year in the expectation that he will lead them into the next Euros and as a reward for him reaching the World Cup semi final and Euros final as he has enjoyed hugely successful times in charge.
FA bosses have also backed Southgate publicly but the manager admitted the mood has changed because of the disastrous Nations League campaign which has ended in relegation and the Germany game at Wembley is now a dead rubber.
When asked about the FA’s backing, Southgate added: “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.”
