Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager after the Three Lions lost 2-1 to Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday.
Southgate, 53, was under contract until December but has decided to step down from his role after almost eight years.
In November 2016, he was appointed England manager on a permanent basis and has led the Three Lions through four major tournaments, reaching the final of the European Championship twice, in 2020 and 2024.
Southgate confirmed his resignation on Tuesday, saying: ‘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 done everything I can.
“But it’s time for a change, and a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my last game as England manager.
Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager after losing the 2024 European Championship final
The Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain in Sunday’s final in Berlin
Southgate was under contract until December but has decided to step down as Three Lions manager
‘I joined the FA in 2011 determined to improve English football. During that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who I would like to sincerely thank.
‘I couldn’t have had anyone better beside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation and has been immense.
‘I have had the privilege of managing a great group of players in 102 games, every single one of whom has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirt, and has been a credit to their country in so many ways.
‘The squad we have taken to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them and hope we can get behind the players and team at St George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football and understand the power of football to bring about positive change.
‘A special thanks goes to the backroom staff who have supported the players and me relentlessly over the last eight years. Their hard work and dedication have inspired me every day and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant “team behind the team”.
‘We have the best fans in the world and their support means the world 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 uniting and inspiring the nation in the way we know they can.
‘Thank you, England, for everything.’
Southgate took over after a turbulent period in English football, following the mutual agreement of former Three Lions manager Sam Allardyce in 2016, having held the post for just 67 days.
Mail Sport reported on Monday that the English Football Association is set to launch an extensive search for a successor to Southgate should he step down, with a shortlist of possible candidates drawn up.
The five coaches the FA is monitoring are Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe, former Chelsea managers Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino and England U21 manager Lee Carsley.
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino (above) is in the picture to succeed Southgate
Eddie Howe is happy at Newcastle but is reportedly considering a move to the national team
Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter (above) is another manager on the FA’s shortlist
Thomas Tuchel (left) and England U21 manager Lee Carsley (right) complete the FA’s shortlist
Following Southgate’s resignation, the FA said: ‘The process for appointing 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 if required.’
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham released a moving statement in tribute to Southgate on Tuesday.
“On behalf of English football I would like to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland for all they have achieved,” he said.
‘Over the past eight years they have transformed the England men’s team and provided unforgettable memories for all who love the Three Lions. We look back on Gareth’s tenure with great pride – his contribution to the English game, including a key role in player development and culture transformation, has been unique. However, it is his record of winning tournament matches that is most extraordinary.
‘In the 25 tournaments since 1966 before Gareth took charge, we won seven knockout matches. In his four tournaments we 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 strong tournament performances during their time. We came so close to winning the European Championships in London and securing the first trophy for our men’s team in over 50 years – and came so close again on Sunday in Berlin.
‘Before Gareth, our longest time in the top five in the world was seven months. In his time, we’ve been there for six years.
‘Gareth has made the impossible possible and laid a solid foundation for future success. He is held in the highest regard by the players, the backroom team, everyone at the FA and throughout the football world.
‘We are immensely proud of everything Gareth and Steve have achieved for England and will be eternally grateful to them.
“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 starts in September and we have an interim solution in place if required.
“We know there will inevitably be speculation, but we will not make any further statements about our process until we have appointed someone.”
Southgate came close to ending England’s 58-year drought in his final match as manager but narrowly missed out on victory after Spanish substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winning goal in the 86th minute in Berlin.
Although Southgate fell woefully short of silverware, his time as manager was a hugely important one
Chelsea star Cole Palmer came off the bench in Berlin to give England hope in the final – before the Three Lions conceded a goal in the 86th minute and lost to Spain
Southgate, importantly, developed a new culture within the England camp during his tenure, creating a cohesion and unity that had been lacking for generations before him.
Cole Palmer came off the bench and gave hope by cancelling out Nico Williams’ opening goal early in the second half with a superb strike from outside the penalty area in the 73rd minute.
Southgate had nearly succeeded in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley three years earlier, but narrowly lost 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.
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