England manager Gareth Southgate has announced that he is stepping down from his role after the Three Lions' second consecutive Euro final defeat to Spain on Sunday, July 14. Southgate resigns from his post after being in charge of the English side in 102 games in eight years.
"As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England," said Southgate. "It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter," Southgate added.
Southgate led England at four major tournaments - the FIFA World Cups in 2018 and 2022 and Euros in 2020 and 2024. His contract was set to expire later in the year.
Southgate is the only manager apart from the World Cup winner of 1966 Sir Alf Ramsey to take the Three Lions into the finals of a major tournament. England played their only Three finals and two of them have come under Southgate's eight-year-long tenure.
He was put under the pressure of not being able to bring the best out of the players in recent times. England's style of football at Euro 2024 also came under scrutiny as they were not attacking much.
In Euro 2024, England topped their Group C with one win and two draws in three matches. They were put under tremendous pressure in knockout games but somehow managed to find a way to edge past their opponents. Harry Kane's team was trailing 0-1 to Slovakia in the round of 16 before a stoppage equalizer from Jude Bellingham and an extra-time goal from Kane took them into the quarters.
England stuttered in the semifinal too, going 0-1 down in the 75th minute to Switzerland, before Bukayo Saka found an equalizer five minutes later and pushing it to the penalties, where the Three Lions prevailed 5-3. They were 0-1 down in the semis to the Netherlands too but this was the game, where they looked at their potential best, winning it 2-1 before losing the final to Spain by the same margin.
"The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. 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 added.
