GARETH SOUTHGATE has insisted he won’t give up as England Under-21s coach despite his side’s crushing disappointment in the Czech Republic.

The Young Lions went out in the group stages of the European Championship for the third time in a row, this time succumbing to an embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Italy in Olomouc on Wednesday night.

But despite the inevitable questions, the coach has no intention of reneging on the contract extension keeping him in the dugout until 2017 that he signed in January.

“I’m contracted to stay on, I’d like to stay on,” Southgate said when asked about his future. “In the end, it’s not my decision.

“But I think what we’ve done over two years has progressed the profile of the team, the style in which we’ve played.

“I think we’ve had some massive success stories in terms of individuals that have come through the programme. Even in this tournament one or two players that have come through have emerged from it.

“So I think people will look at all of that when they’re making that decision.”

The side had raised hopes with recent friendly wins over semi-finalists Portugal and Germany but yet again collapsed on the big stage.

Italy went three up before Nathan Redmond got a consolation goal after 90 minutes.