Gareth Southgate resigns as England boss after Euros final defeat

Howe, Potter top of FA shortlist

FE Team | Published: July 16, 2024 22:02:26

Gareth Southgate resigned from his role as England manager on Tuesday after yet another heartbreaking final loss at the European Championship, their second straight failure in the title decider of the continental tournament, report agencies.
England lost 2-1 to Spain in Sunday's showpiece in Berlin and the 53-year-old Englishman said after the game that he would discuss his future in charge of 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 in a statement.
"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 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."
Britain's Prince William, who is also the president of the FA, thanked Southgate for his service.
"Thank you for creating a team that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world's finest in 2024," he said.
Having coached the England youth side for several years, Southgate took the senior job when Sam Allardyce resigned after one match in charge when he sought a lucrative sideline role while talking to undercover reporters.
A former international with 57 caps, Southgate took over an England side that had seen its "golden generation" of players fail to impress at major tournaments.
With a young core of players, Southgate's England captured the imagination of a country starved of success on the international stage as they became a force to reckon with in tournaments.
England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals while their run to the final at Euro 2020 was also remarkable.
With most of their games being played on home soil, the country began to dream of lifting their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
But that dream was shattered at Wembley when Italy beat England on penalties while Southgate's side crashed out of the quarter-finals at World Cup the following year in Qatar.
Although they reached the Euro 2024 final, the road to Berlin was not easy as England struggled to find the net and topped the group after scoring just two goals. However, Southgate's record of taking his teams deep into tournaments is unrivalled among England's other managers.
FA CEO Mark Bullingham said England would be "forever grateful" to Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland for everything they had achieved.
Meanwhile, Newcastle's Eddie Howe and former Chelsea manager Graham Potter are understood to top the Football Association's shortlist of successors after Gareth Southgate stepped down.
The 53-year-old nearly walked away after the winter World Cup 18 months ago but decided to stay on for Euro 2024 and his side lost Sunday's final to Spain 2-1 in Berlin.
Southgate's contract was due to expire in December but he confirmed his decision on Tuesday morning with an emotional statement to supporters. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is a leading contender to succeed Southgate.
The departure of co-owner Amanda Staveley, a key ally of the manager, from St. James' Park last week could boost the FA's chances of hiring the 46-year-old Potter, who is out of work after being sacked by Chelsea, is thought to be keen on the job, while England Under-21 coach Lee Carsley, who led the youngsters to the European Championship last summer, would be interviewed.