The England National Football team manager Gareth Southgate has announced his resignation as England’s manager after eight years. The Football Association had hoped he would extend his contract after he led the team to the final of EURO 2024 but Southgate has decided to bowed down and seek a new challenge.
In his statement, he says “As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England,” Southgate said. “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.”
Gareth Southgate is the England’s most successful manager in terms of consistent major tournament performance. England also reached the European Championship final in 2021, losing to Italy on penalty shootout and a World Cup semi-final in 2018, when they were beaten by Croatia. In his other World Cup, the England team under Southgate were beaten by France at the quarter finals
Newcastle’s Eddie Howe and three former Chelsea managers, Graham Potter, Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, are close the of the FA’s list to take over from Southgate. Howe, who has previously described the England post as “the ultimate” job, is thought to be open to discussions should the FA approach Newcastle.
Howe loves the day-to-day coaching of club management but could view the job as too good to turn down. England’s next fixtures are against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the Nations League in September.
We have a team full of exciting young talent that we took to Germany, and they can win the trophy that we all want,” Southgate stated. “I am incredibly proud of them, and I hope we can support the players, the St. George’s Park team, and the FA in their daily efforts to enhance English football and recognize the positive influence football can have on society.”
In order to give himself and the FA time to think things through after Euro 2024, Southgate signed a contract that would expire in December. However, he made it obvious that he would make up his mind quickly prior to Spain’s ultimate defeat.
After England’s dismal showing in the Euros, Southgate was under intense criticism for the whole of the competition.
After the Slovenia game Southgate said he understood “the narrative towards me” but that it was “creating an unusual environment to operate in”.
Southgate took charge of England, initially on a caretaker basis, in September 2016 after Sam Allardyce’s sudden departure. He had indicated he thought his time would be up if England did not win in Germany.
Southgate, who has worked at the FA since 2011, has admirers at Manchester United, who gave Erik ten Hag a new contract this summer. His only job in club football was with Middlesbrough from 2006-09.
The England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley and former England internationals Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are probable other possibilities on the FA’s shortlist. The FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, and technical director, John McDermott, will supervise the hiring process.
Pochettino and McDermott have a close bond from their time together at Tottenham. He has expressed a desire to coach England in the past, but it is thought that he is weighing his alternatives. Bullingham remarked, “Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success.” “The players, the backroom staff, the FA, and the football community all have the utmost respect for him.”We are incredibly proud of all that Steve and Gareth accomplished for England.
