Gareth Southgate resigns as England manager after Euro 2024 final defeat

Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager following his side’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

The 53-year-old took charge of 102 matches during his eight-year reign as England manager and is the only person to have guided the Three Lions to two major international finals.

Southgate’s contract was due to expire in December but he has opted not to enter discussions with the Football Association over a new deal.

The FA now has just over seven weeks to appoint a full-time successor for Southgate ahead of England’s Nations League match against the Republic of Ireland on September 7.

Graham Potter, who was sacked by Chelsea after less than seven months in charge in April 2023, is the early favourite with the bookmakers to replace Southgate.

In a message to fans on Tuesday morning, 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.

‘I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.

‘I could not have had anyone better alongside 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 leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.

‘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.

‘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.

‘I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.

‘Thank you, England – for everything.’

Southgate was heavily criticised during England Euro 2024 campaign and was pelted with empty beer cups by fans following the goalless draw against Slovenia in the group stage.

Speaking after the incident, Southgate suggested that England supporters were creating an ‘unusual environment’ with their hostile reaction.

‘I understand it. I’m not going to back away from it,’ Southgate said.

‘The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team. I understand the narrative towards me.

‘That’s better for the team than it being towards them but it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar.

‘So, I understand it. I’m not going to back away from it. But I’m very, very proud of the players for how they’re operating within it.’

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Southgate also came under fire from pundits and former England internationals, including Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Gary Neville, over his side’s playing style at Euro 2024 following several disjointed performances.

Speaking after the 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final, Southgate conceded that a key mistake his players made was their inability to keep possession.

‘Our players have been incredible, they’ve given everybody some incredible nights. They couldn’t have given anymore in terms of their effort, their desire, their character,’ Southgate said.

‘Tonight we fell short, we didn’t keep the ball well enough. We actually defended well in the first half in particular, limited their possibilities, but we couldn’t play through the counter press well enough.

‘We actually didn’t really use the ball well until we were a goal down, then we had a decent period in the game.

‘We got the equaliser but I think the physical toll of the issues we came into the tournament with, the extra-time periods and then tonight, having as little of the ball as we did, ultimately that took a big toll.

‘I think was part of the reason why at the end, you know, legs started to go and you start to make mistakes.

‘But, you know, the players have pushed it till the 85th minute as the final game. They’ve been incredible, really.

‘It’s very clear in my mind, the game, as I said, for me the key was possession of the ball tonight and we didn’t have enough control.’

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