GARETH SOUTHGATE has QUIT as England manager after the Euro 2024 final.
The coach leaves the role after eight years in charge of the national team despite his contract running out in December.
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The 53-year-old guided the Three Lions to their second successive Euros final on Sunday night.
But his troops suffered yet more heartache against Spain, who lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy for a FOURTH TIME thanks to a 2-1 win in Berlin.
Southgate flirted with the prospect of walking away from the job before the tournament got underway last month.
And the former England defender has opted to step down from his role after the best part of a decade in the job.
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A statement from 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.
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“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.
Inside Gareth Southgate’s love life including secret Tesco car park meetings
“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 hired as England manager in 2016 following Sam Allardyce‘s one game in charge.
He had worked as the England under-21 boss from 2013 to 2016 before he landed the role.
While in charge of the Three Lions he lead the team to qualify for every major tournament under his stewardship.
Odds on next England boss
Here are the latest odds from Ladbrokes:
Here are the latest odds from Ladbrokes:
Graham Potter – 11/10
Eddie Howe – 2/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 4/1
Jurgen Klopp – 10/1
Lee Carsley – 10/1
Pep Guardiola – 14/1
Ange Postecoglou – 16/1
Michael Carrick – 20/1
Steven Gerrard – 20/1
Thomas Tuchel – 20/1
Southgate’s first tournament was the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He led the team to the semi-final before losing to eventual runners-up Croatia.
During the run to the final four, the team were able to overcome their penalty hoodoo as they knocked out Columbia on spot kicks in the round of 16.
Fans fell in love with Southgate during the tournament and his dress sense.
Southgate statement in full as he QUITS England
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’s waistcoat became a fashion trend with the garment selling out at Marks and Spencer.
He then led England to a third-place finish in the inaugural Uefa Nations League in 2020.
The team finished top of their group over Spain and Croatia but lost to the Netherlands in the semi-final.
England then beat Switzerland in the third-place match on penalties.
Piers Morgan on why it was time for Southgate to go
GARETH SOUTHGATE created a team in his own cool, calm, collected image, developed a fantastic team spirit with his players, and has performed better in major international tournaments than any manager of our national side other than World Cup-winning Sir Alf Ramsey.
But when the final whistle blew in Berlin’s Olympiastadion stadium, it felt like the right moment to say goodbye to Gareth.
I was there, with two of my sons, to watch England come up short, again, against Spain.
And none of us was enraged.
Disappointed, yes.
Angry, no.
Truthfully, for all our bullish ‘It’s Coming Home!’ social media posts, we knew in our hearts it probably wasn’t.
Why?
Because for all his ‘safe-pair-of-hands’ positives, the problem with Gareth, ironically, is that he’s just too safe.
This very talented squad of players should have been ordered to play with far more attacking flair through this tournament, as Spain did.
Put someone like Jurgen Klopp or Alex Ferguson in charge of these guys, managers with a love of rampaging flamboyance and with in-built desire to entertain, and we’d have won it just as we’d have won the last Euros too.
Read more from Piers Morgan here.
At Euro 2020 England finished top of their group, ahead of Scotland, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
The Three Lions made their way all the way to the final at Wembley with impressive wins over Germany, Sweden and Denmark.
However, the team failed at the final hurdle as they lost on penalties to Italy.
During the build-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Southgate helped the team reach 3rd in the Fifa rankings.
Southgate’s England record
Here is a look at Gareth Southgate’s record as England manager.
Overall record
- Games: 101
- Wins: 64
- Draws: 20
- Losses: 18
- Goals scored: 229
- Goals conceded: 84
Tournament record
- Games: 43
- Wins: 19
- Draws: 12
- Loses: 12
The second Nations League campaign did not go as well as they were relegated to League B.
At the World Cup, England once again topped their group with wins over Iran and Wales.
They then beat Senegal 3-0 in the round of 16 before losing to France in the quarter-finals.
England secured qualification to Euro 2024 with two games remaining and recorded home and away victories over Italy for the first time since 1977.
Before the tournament, Southgate admitted that he would “probably” leave his role if England did not win the tournament.
Tributes poured in for Southgate as the news spread, with former England star Gary Neville saying: “Thank you Gareth you did a great job.”
Jamie Carragher said: “It’s been a great ride for all involved over the last eight years. Two finals, semi final & a quarter final in Gareth Southgate’s four tournaments is a very tough act to follow!”
FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “On behalf of English football, I would like to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate and to Steve Holland for everything they have achieved.
“Over the last eight years they have transformed the England men’s team, delivering unforgettable memories for everyone who loves the Three Lions.
“We look back at Gareth’s tenure with huge pride – his contribution to the English game, including a significant role in player development, and in culture transformation has been unique.
“However, it is his record of winning tournament games which is most extraordinary…
“Before Gareth, our longest time ranked in the top five in the world was seven months. In his tenure we have been ranked there for six years.
“Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success. He is held in the highest regard by the players, the backroom team, by everyone at the FA and across the world of football.
“We are very proud of everything Gareth and Steve achieved for England, and will be forever grateful to them.”
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Bullingham also said England would be looking to appoint his successor “as soon as possible” before the Nations League campaign begins in September.
In terms of replacements, the likes of Frank Lampard, Graham Potter and Eddie Howe have been linked, while Thomas Tuchel has also thrown his hat in the ring.