Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager following the Three Lions’ crushing 2-1 defeat by Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.
Southgate, 53, was under contract until December but decided to step down after almost eight years in charge.
He was appointed permanent England manager in November 2016 and guided the Three Lions through four major tournaments, twice taking his team to the final of the European Championship in 2020 and 2024.
On Tuesday, Southgate confirmed his resignation: “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 a change and a new chapter to begin. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my last game as England manager.
Gareth Southgate resigns as England manager after losing Euro 2024 final
The Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain in Sunday’s final in Berlin
Southgate celebrates with England supporters after the Three Lions won their first World Cup penalty shoot-out against Colombia in 2018 to advance to the quarter-finals.
‘I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. During that time, including eight years as England manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people to whom I am very grateful.
“I couldn’t have had anyone better at my side than Steve Holland. He’s one of the most talented coaches of his generation and he’s been immense.
‘I have had the privilege of managing a great group of players in 102 matches. They have all been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts and have been a credit to their country in many ways.
“The team we are taking to Germany is full of young talent and can win the trophy we all dream of. I am very proud of them and I hope we will support the players and the team at St. George’s Park and the FA, who strive every day to improve English football and understand the power that football has to drive positive change.
‘I would especially like to thank the coaching staff who have provided the players and me with unwavering support over the past eight years. Their hard work and commitment have inspired me every day and I am very grateful to them – the brilliant ‘team behind the team’.
‘We have the best fans in the world and their support has meant a lot to me. I am an England fan and always will be. I look forward to watching and celebrating the players creating more special memories and connecting and inspiring the nation as we know they can.
«Thank you, England, for everything.»
Southgate was under contract until December but decided to step down as Three Lions manager.
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino (above) is in the running to succeed Southgate
Eddie Howe is happy at Newcastle but would consider a move to the national team
Southgate took over after a turbulent era in English football, after former Three Lions manager Sam Allardyce left by mutual consent in 2016, lasting just 67 days in the job.
Mail Sport reported on Monday that the Football Association was prepared to begin an exhaustive search for Southgate’s successor should he step down, drawing up a shortlist of potential targets.
The five managers on the FA’s radar are Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe, former Chelsea managers Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino and England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley.
Following Southgate’s resignation, the FA said: “The process to appoint Gareth’s successor is now underway and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible. Our UEFA Nations League campaign begins in September and we have an interim solution in place should it be required.”
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham paid tribute to Southgate with a moving statement on Tuesday.
“On behalf of English football, I would like to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland for everything they have achieved,” he said.
‘Over the past eight years they have transformed the England men’s national team, providing unforgettable memories for all who love the Three Lions. We look back on Gareth’s tenure with great pride – his contribution to English football, including a significant role in player development and cultural transformation, has been unique. However, it is his tournament winning record that is most extraordinary.
Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter (above) is another manager on the FA’s shortlist
Thomas Tuchel (left) and England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley (right) complete the FA’s shortlist of candidates
‘In the 25 tournaments since 1966, before Gareth took over, we had won seven knockout matches. In his four tournaments, we have won nine. So in his eight years, he has won more matches that really matter than in the previous 50 years.
“And of course we have had some excellent tournament performances during his tenure. We came very close to winning the European Championship in London and securing the first trophy for our men’s team in more than 50 years, and we came very close again in Berlin on Sunday.
‘Before Gareth, the longest we were in the top five in the world was seven months. During his tenure, we’ve been in that position for six years.
“Gareth has made an impossible job possible and laid a solid foundation for future success. He is held in the highest regard by the players, the coaching staff, everyone at the FA and across the football world.
‘We are very proud of everything Gareth and Steve achieved for England and we will be eternally grateful.
“The process to appoint Gareth’s successor is already underway and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible. Our UEFA Nations League campaign begins in September and we have an interim solution in place should it be required.
We know there will be inevitable speculation, but we will not comment further on our process until we make the appointment.
Southgate almost ended England’s 58-year trophy drought in his final game in charge but fell just short of glory after second-half substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored an 86th-minute winner in Berlin.
Although Southgate fell far short of silverware, his reign as manager was significant.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer came off the bench in Berlin to inspire hope for England in the final before the Three Lions conceded an 86th-minute goal and suffered defeat to Spain.
Southgate, importantly, developed a new culture within the England team during his tenure, fostering a togetherness and unity that had been lacking in generations before him.
Cole Palmer came off the bench to inspire hope by cancelling out Nico Williams’ opener early in the second half, scoring a superb goal from outside the area in the 73rd minute.
Southgate came close to tasting success three years earlier in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, narrowly losing on penalties to Italy.
In his other two major tournaments, the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the manager led England to the semi-finals and quarter-finals respectively.
Southgate finished his tenure having won 64 of his 102 games in charge, drawing 20 and losing 18 in total.
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