Following England’s 2-1 loss to Spain in the final of EURO 2024, Gareth Southgate has taken the decision to step down as manager of the men’s national team.
England reached their second successive Euros final but were defeated at the last hurdle, with Southgate taking the decision to call time on his spell as manager after eight years.
On their posts across social media, England thanked Southgate for his time as manager, saying: “After 102 games and almost eight years in charge, Gareth Southgate has announced he is to leave his role as manager of the #ThreeLions.” Their bio on X and Instagram has also been updated to read “Thank you, Gareth.”
Speaking on his resignation, Southgate said: “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 change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager.”
Southgate first took charge in October 2016, when England defeated Malta 2-0 in a World Cup Qualifier. The memorable 2018 World Cup run followed, with Southgate leading the team to their first semi-final at a tournament since EURO ’96, and their first at a World Cup since ‘Italia ’90’.
In 2021, England reached their first final at a men’s tournament since their World Cup win in 1966; going the distance at the Euros, with the final taking place at Wembley. England were defeated on penalities by Italy after a 1-1 draw, but drew hope from the tournament run with the emergence of several young players.
After going out of World Cup 2022 to France in the Quarter Finals, England made the final of the Euros once more, which, of course, ended in heartbreaking fashion to Spain on Sunday (July 14). Among other achievements, he broke the penalty shootout ‘curse’ with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Colomba in 2018, a feat which was then repeated at EURO 2024 with a 5-3 win on penalties against Switzerland in the Quarter Final.
There was reportedly hope from the FA that Southgate would extend his contract beyond 2024, despite the defeat, but, after eight years, he has decided to step aside for someone new to move into the role.
It has not yet been confirmed who will take over as manager of England after Gareth Southgate.
