After eight years, four tournaments, and reaching two finals, Gareth Southgate announced on Tuesday that he would be stepping down as England manager, citing a need for “time for change.”
His final match in charge was England’s 2-1 loss to Spain in the European Championship final on Sunday.
“As a proud Englishman, it has been the greatest honor of my life to represent and manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given my absolute best,” he said. “But now is the right time for a new chapter.”
Southgate’s contract was set to expire this year, and his decision follows months of uncertainty about his future.
The defeat in Berlin, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring a late winner in the 86th minute, marked a painful conclusion to his tenure after he revitalized England’s national team.
Appointed in 2016, he guided England to consecutive Euro finals and the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup.
Despite these achievements, he was unable to end England’s long wait for a major trophy since their World Cup win in 1966.
“Gareth, I want to thank you – not just as the FA President, but as a fan of England. Thank you for building a team that competes with the best in the world in 2024,” Prince William expressed on X.
“Thank you for demonstrating humility, compassion, and exemplary leadership under intense pressure and scrutiny. And thank you for being a true role model. You should be incredibly proud of what you have accomplished. W.”
Southgate had previously indicated before the European Championship that it would likely be his final tournament if England did not win.
During the tournament, he faced significant criticism for the team’s early performances, and some fans expressed their displeasure by throwing plastic beer cups toward him after a goalless draw with Slovenia in the group stage.
Nevertheless, he achieved a historic feat by leading England to two finals, including their first final on foreign soil.
“Gareth has achieved what seemed impossible and built a strong foundation for future success. He is highly respected by the players, staff, everyone at the FA, and in the global football community,” said Mark Bullingham, CEO of the English Football Association.
Before Southgate took over, England had won only seven knockout games in tournaments since 1966. Under his leadership, they won nine.
England was also ranked in FIFA’s top five for six years during Southgate’s tenure, the longest such streak in their history. Now, attention turns to finding his replacement, with the FA confirming the process is already underway.
Southgate wasn’t the obvious choice when he was appointed following Sam Allardyce’s brief tenure that lasted only one match and 67 days.
Although his club management experience was limited to a three-year stint at Middlesbrough, Southgate had earned respect at the FA for his work with England’s under-21 team. He surpassed expectations in the senior role.
The World Cup semifinal in 2018 was a significant achievement, especially following England’s disappointments at Euro 2016 and the 2014 World Cup.
England hadn’t reached a World Cup semifinal since 1990 or a European Championship semifinal since Euro 96.
At Euro 2021, Southgate guided England to the final, where they lost to Italy in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Spain in the recent final.
“We reflect on Gareth’s tenure with immense pride – his impact on English football, including his role in player development and cultural change, has been exceptional. However, his success in winning tournament matches stands out the most,” Bullingham concluded.
