Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager following their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain on Sunday.
The former Middlesbrough manager took the job in 2016 following England’s disastrous last 16 defeat to Iceland in Euro 2016, and the short lived term of Sam Allardyce.
He led the Three Lions to back to back European Championship finals in 2020 and 2024, as well as a World Cup semi final in 2018 and quarter final in 2022.
“proud Englishman”
Southgate confirmed his departure as manager in a statement, saying that it is time for a “new chapter” for the national team.
“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”, Southgate said.
“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”.
As mentioned, Gareth Southgate led England to back to back European Championship finals, losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley in 2020, and 2-1 to Spain in Sunday’s decider in Berlin.
However, Southgate who also played for his country, has backed the players to “win the trophy we all dream of” in the future.
“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 added.
“My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment 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 has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be”.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham also paid tribute to Southgate, praising him for his achievements over the past 8 years.
He also said that the search to appoint a new manager is “now under way”, with the FA also having an “interim solution in place if needed”.
England’s next competitive game will be against the Republic of Ireland in September in the Nations League, which will see two new managers leading their teams out for the first time, following Heimir Hallgrímsson’s appointment as Ireland manager last week.
