Gareth Southgate has opted to step down as England manager after eight years following Sunday’s defeat in the final of Euro 2024.

The former Three Lions international took charge in 2016 and has led England to successive finals at the Euros, but couldn’t deliver the ultimate prize. He also masterminded England’s route to a World Cup semi-final in his first major tournament back in 2018.

He’s presided over a huge shift in the culture and perception of the national team and leaves behind an England squad bursting with talent as the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka continue to flourish.

Upon confirming his departure he 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.”

Mirror Football will keep you up to date on the latest as England’s search for a new manager begins.

Samuel Meade

Carragher – Southgate second only to Ramsey

He told Sky Sports: “Southgate’s just behind Sir Alf Ramsey. Sir Alf won the trophy. There was debate before the game as to whether Southgate was the most successful manager. I don’t agree with that, I think you’ve got to win the trophy and Sir Alf has already done that.

“When I look at other England managers that we look back on fondly like Terry Venables and Bobby Robson I always wonder what things would have been like if social media was about. When you look at what Gareth has achieved, he’s achieved more than those two who are thought of so highly.

“What he’s achieved puts him far ahead of any England manager bar Sir Alf Ramsey.”

Samuel Meade

Gareth’s first words

A throwback to Southgate’s first words as England boss. It has been known as the ‘impossible job’ but the new man in the dugout didn’t buy into that description.

He said: “I’d like an England team that excite the public and that supporters look forward to watching, and are proud of.

“I don’t think any job is impossible. Some are more difficult and complex, this is one of those. It comes with great responsibility. I’m ready to embrace that.”

Samuel Meade

“You can only do this job for so long”

Former England striker Alan Smith said on Sky Sports News: “He (Southgate) brought an enjoyment to the job, took the fear out of it to a certain extent. Players finally looked forward to joining up (with England) whereas before maybe they would be a bit reticent.

“He has proved it can be done, and obviously has had a fine group of players to do it with. My reaction is one of sadness that he has gone, because he is a fine individual, we all know that, but going on to the World Cup was perhaps a step too far given the nature of the performances (at Euro 2024), rather than getting to the final, which was a great achievement.

“The criticism he received, he clearly took that to heart and you can only do this job for so long – it wears you down and I think that has happened to Gareth. We can only thank him for what he has done for the national side.”

Samuel Meade

Pickford offers his thanks

Pickford – The Everton goalkeeper who has been England’s No 1 under Southgate – said on Instagram: “I also want to say a special thank you to the boss for always believing in me during his time with us and I would like to wish him all the best in his next steps. Thank you Gareth.”

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Keys delivers ruthless assessment of Southgate decision

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Former FA chief offers advice on next manager

Mark Palios, the former FA CEO, insists simply taking the best manager from club football might not be the best move when deciding on Gareth Southgate’s successor.

He was keen to underline the differences between club and international management with some managers more suited to one than the other.

He told BBC 5 Live: “It comes down to the best manager for the job. That is what you have to do. There is a difference between a successful club manager and doing it at international level.

“If you look at the job description it is massive. The diplomatic element to the job is important, it is not the overriding feature and they do get massive amounts of support behind the scenes. Choosing a manager straight from club football as they have been successful is not necessarily the thing that would make it work.”

Samuel Meade

Lineker hails Southgate impact

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Maguire heaps praise on Gareth with touching message

Samuel Meade

The Southgate reign in numbers

So, now the curtain has been drawn down, what will the stats say about Southgate’s England.

Well Kane was central to the goals, scoring more than anyone. He notched 61 times with Sterling (18), Rashford (16) and Bukayo Saka (12) the other men to hit double figures.

Kane was also the most-used player with Southgate giving him 81 caps – he wore the armband for 71 of those games. Walker was next with 70 appearances for Southgate, two more than Manchester City team-mate Stones and goalkeeper Pickford with Harry Maguire on 63.

England’s biggest win under Southgate was a 10-0 thumping of San Marino. A 4-0 loss to Hungary was his heaviest defeat.

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Royal approval

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The fan feeling

KEY EVENT

Who’s the favourite to take over as England boss?

Graham Potter: 6/4

Eddie Howe: 5/1

Lee Carsley: 11/2

Thomas Tuchel: 6/1

Mauricio Pochettino: 7/1

Jurgen Klopp: 14/1

Ralf Rangnick: 16/1

Frank Lampard, Pep Guardiola: 20/1

Jose Mourinho: 25/1

Odds provided by Betfair

Samuel Meade

Solutions in place for the future

The CEO of the FA also maintained, whilst keeping his cards close to his chest, that plans are in place for there to be an England manager in some capacity when they next play a competitive game.

He said: “The process for appointing Gareth’s successor is now under way and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible. Our UEFA Nations League campaign starts in September, and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed.”

Samuel Meade

England’s upcoming games

Southgate might have moved on but football never stops. England have a Nations League campaign to prepare for, which includes the rarest of visits across the Irish Sea.

Here’s their assignments for the rest of 2024..

September 7: Republic of Ireland vs England

September 10: England vs Finland

October 10: England vs Greece

October 13: Finland vs England

November 14: Greece vs England

November 17: England vs Republic of Ireland

Samuel Meade

The Southgate legacy

This debate will now rumble on. Southgate has elevated England to heights they haven’t known for some time, but ultimately there is still now trophy.

During the Euros Southgate admitted: “Until you win that trophy, then there will always be those questions, both abroad and at home, about what we’ve done.”

That trophy couldn’t be captured in Berlin on Sunday. So it looks like opinion may well be divided.

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FA chief pays tribute

Mark Bullingham, the CEO, 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.

“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.

“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.”

Samuel Meade

Shout out to the suit – and where England’s upward trajectory began

Throwback to the World Cup in 2018, where England hoped they might do something but after years of tournament failure didn’t expect too much.

Then we finished second in the group but the draw opened up for us.

Colombia were beaten, then Sweden and then we took the lead in the semi-final against Croatia. It wasn’t to be, but it set us up on a path to be a competitive nation once again.

And obviously, that iconic look from Gareth himself.


A World Cup semi-final was Gareth Southgate’s first major achievement

Samuel Meade

Carra has his say

In the aftermath of the Euros loss Jamie Carragher was keen to hold the players – not the manager- accountable.

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Southgate’s record as England boss

He was in charge for 102 games, winning 61 of those. He drew 24 and lost 17.

Some of those wins were iconic, going back years to a notable 3-2 win over Spain in their own backyards. That’s before remembering how Southgate made us good at penalties for the first time ever.

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The thanks – as expected – begin to pour in

Gary Neville’s always been a huge supporter of the former England boss.

Samuel Meade

So who replaces Southgate?

That is the question we’re all asking. Worth remembering that, back in 2016 when Sam Allardyce was sacked, we didn’t look like we had an outstanding candidates laying around. And look how wrong we were.

Here are six names to be considered – though there is already one big favourite to get the role in Graham Potter.

Read the list here.

KEY EVENT

His emotional statement in full

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.

Samuel Meade

Southgate to leave

Well we thought it was coming and so it has.

Gareth Southgate has chosen to call time on his eight-year spell as England manager after Sunday’s defeat in the final of Euro 2024.

The search for a new manager now begins.