BERLIN - The first final participation on foreign soil in English football history is said to come along with a contract extension for a man who, for some, is already Euro 2024's coach of the tournament. 

Ahead of the tournament final against Spain, British media reported that the Football Association intends to extend Gareth Southgate's contract. 

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Regardless of the outcome of Sunday's game, the 53-year-old is expected to be granted a two-year contract extension. No other tournament coach has seen headlines change so much than the former England defender. 

Having led his squad into the final, his 102nd game on the national team bench, Southgate has gone from zero to hero. England made their way to the final against all odds, following a bumpy journey through the group stage followed by tight knock-out wins against Slovakia in extra time, a penalty shootout against Switzerland, and a narrow 2-1 win over the Netherlands. 

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Having delivered a strong first half against the Netherlands, England's true potential seems to come to light. Despite being the underdogs against Euro 2008 and 2012 winners Spain, England are not without chances to be the tournament's surprise winners. While being under fire in the British media, Southgate's achievements might fall short of the appropriate attention. 

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Not only have England made it into the final over other leading football nations such as France, Italy and Germany, but the team also seems to have banished their recent penalty curse. 

Three successful penalty shootouts under Southgate might tell the story, with only one of the last four having been lost. The Three Lions might not have delivered similarly entertaining performances to Spain or Germany, but are only one step away from glory and the country's first title in 58 years.