Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager after the Three Lions' 2-1 defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
Southgate, 53, who was under contract until December, has decided to step down after nearly eight years in the role. Appointed permanently in November 2016, he guided England through four major tournaments, leading the team to the European Championship finals in 2020 and 2024.
In his resignation statement on Tuesday, Southgate said, "As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager."
During his tenure, Southgate worked closely with assistant manager Steve Holland, whom he praised as "one of the most talented coaches of his generation." Southgate also expressed gratitude to the FA and the players, stating, "I have had the privilege of leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the Three Lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways."
Reflecting on his journey with the FA since 2011, Southgate highlighted the support and dedication of his backroom staff and the fans, saying, "We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be. I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can."
Southgate took over as England manager after Sam Allardyce's brief tenure in 2016. His leadership has been credited with stabilizing and revitalizing the team.
Following his resignation, the FA is preparing to search for Southgate's successor. According to Mail Sport, the FA has a shortlist of five potential candidates: Newcastle United's Eddie Howe, former Chelsea managers Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino, and England U21s boss Lee Carsley. Photo by Number 10, Wikimedia commons.