Gary Neville has led tributes to Gareth Southgate after it was confirmed the Three Lions boss has resigned as England manager.
The news was confirmed on Tuesday, two days after Southgate and his side fell short in their bid to win Euro 2024 and their first major title in 58 years.
“It’s time for a change and a new chapter,” Southgate wrote in an emotional statement shared by England, as he thanked the likes of Steve Holland, his players and the England fans for their support.
The resignation came after Southgate said before the tournament that he was unlikely to be in charge if England did not win the competition and the revelation that the FA would try to convince him to stay.
Tributes began pouring in for the 53-year-old, with former England defender and manager Neville taking to social media to thank the now ex-England boss.
The football world has paid tribute to Gareth Southgate (pictured) after he stepped down as England manager.
The Three Lions manager confirmed he has left his post after the defeat in the Euro 2024 final against Spain
Gary Neville, who coached England before Southgate’s arrival, wrote that he did “a great job”
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher posted that the 53-year-old will be “a very tough act to follow”.
“Thanks Gareth, you did a great job,” Neville wrote on X, formerly Twitter, following the news breaking.
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher, who had been a staunch defender of Southgate following the final, posted: “It’s been a great journey for everyone involved over the last eight years. Two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final in Gareth Southgate’s four tournaments is something very hard to match!”
Mail Sport’s Chris Sutton added: “Gareth Southgate is a top player and he can leave his post as England manager with his head held high and a great deal of pride in what he has achieved.”
Prince William, meanwhile, is the president of the Football Association and was seen in Germany cheering on the English team.
“Gareth, I want to thank you, not as the FA chairman, but as an England fan,” he wrote in response to the news. “Thank you for creating a team that will be up there with the best in the world in 2024.”
“Thank you for demonstrating humility, compassion and true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny. And thank you for being an all-round class act. You should be incredibly proud of what you have accomplished.” W.
Meanwhile, the FA has confirmed the process is underway to appoint Southgate’s successor as England manager, with an “interim solution” in place should a manager not be appointed for the September internationals.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham paid tribute to Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland in a statement and confirmed the search for a new manager is underway.
“Over the past eight years they have transformed the England men’s team, providing unforgettable memories for everyone who loves the Three Lions,” Bullingham said at the start of a lengthy statement.
“We look back on Gareth’s tenure with great pride – his contribution to English football, including a major role in player development and cultural transformation, has been unique. But what is most extraordinary is his record of tournament victories.”
Mail Sport’s Chris Sutton described Southgate as “a top-class player” who “can leave his job with his head held high”.
Prince William wanted to thank Southgate as an England fan and not as president of the Football Association.
England’s next game will be against the Republic of Ireland on September 7 as their Nations League campaign gets underway.
The Three Lions will face Finland three days later, before a month-long break until their next international fixtures.
