Gareth Southgate, the 53-year-old manager of the English football team, has stepped down after eight years in charge. The Football Association (FA) had hoped to extend his contract following the team’s advance to the Euro 2024 final, but Southgate has chosen to pursue new opportunities, according to EURO sports.
In a heartfelt statement, Southgate expressed his pride and gratitude: “As a proud Englishman, it has been the honor 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.”
Southgate is noted as England’s most successful manager regarding consistent major tournament performance. Under his leadership, the team reached the European Championship final in 2021, losing to Italy, and a World Cup semi-final in 2018, where they were defeated by Croatia. In the latest World Cup, England was eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.
The FA is considering candidates to replace Southgate, with Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter, and former Bayern Munich and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel among the frontrunners. England’s next matches are against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the Nations League in September.
Southgate reflected on his tenure and the future of the team, saying, “The squad we took 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 I hope we get behind 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 football has to drive positive change.”
He signed a contract extension until December to allow time for a post-Euro 2024 decision. However, he indicated before the final loss to Spain that his decision wouldn’t take long. Throughout the Euros, Southgate faced intense pressure following subpar performances in the group stage and the last 16 against Slovakia, including public disapproval after a 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
Following the Slovenia match, Southgate acknowledged the criticism, saying he understood “the narrative towards me” but noted it created an “unusual environment to operate in.” He initially took charge of England as a caretaker in September 2016 after Sam Allardyce’s sudden departure. Southgate had hinted his tenure would end if England did not win in Germany.
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