 "Gareth Southgate led England to two Euro finals along with a semi-final finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup during his eight-year reign with the ‘Three Lions’ as manager. Reuters")
Gareth Southgate resigned as England manager on Tuesday following the ‘Three Lions’ 2-1 defeat at the hands of Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
The England football team’s official handle on microblogging platform X confirmed the development on Tuesday, with the account also changing its bio to “Thank you, Gareth”.
“After 102 games and almost eight years in charge, Gareth Southgate has announced he is to leave his role as manager of the #ThreeLions,” read the caption of the post.
It was the second time in as many editions of the European Championship that England had failed to lift the trophy after reaching the final. They had lost to Italy on penalties at the Wembley Stadium in the final in 2021.
England had also suffered a semi-final exit in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, followed by a quarter-final loss against eventual runners-up France four years later.
“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 said in a statement.
Names immediately bandied around as 53-year-old Southgate’s successor are Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, and two former Chelsea handlers, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.
Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham said Southgate had “made the impossible job possible”.
Southgate took over in 2016 when England’s fortunes were at a low ebb, having exited the Euros after defeat to Iceland and then Sam Allardyce had to resign over a scandal.
In the last four tournaments Southgate led England to three semi-finals and two finals.
Prior to his appointment, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semi-finals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup.
But despite changing the fortunes of the England team, Southgate was unable to land a first trophy for 58 years as England lost 2-1 to Spain on Sunday.
“Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success,” said Bullingham in a statement.
“In the 25 tournaments post 1966 before Gareth took charge, we had won seven knockout games.
“In his four tournaments we have won nine. So, in his eight years, he has won more games that really matter than in the previous 50 years.
“And of course, we have had strong tournament performances throughout their tenure.
“We came so close to winning the Euros in London and securing the first trophy for our men’s team for over 50 years — and came so close again in Berlin on Sunday.”
Southgate, who is also credited for restoring pride and lustre to the team as well as turning the players into role models off the pitch, said the job had been a dream of a lifetime for him.
“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England,” he said.
“It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.”
With inputs from AFP