Gareth Southgate steps down as England manager after Euro 2024 final defeat

Under Southgate, the Three Lions reached the final of two Euros.

After another major tournament agony, this time at Euro 2024, England manager Gareth Southgate has finally decided to take a step back and seek new challenges. This decision comes even after the FA hoped Southgate would extend his deal with the Three Lions.

“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.”

After 102 games and almost eight years in charge, Gareth Southgate has announced he is to leave his role as manager of the #ThreeLions.

— England (@England) July 16, 2024

Southgate will take some solace from his exit as England‘s manager as he always led them deep into tournaments. Under him, England reached the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup, the 2021 Euro final, the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup and another Euro final in 2024.

He will be disappointed, though, that after so many close calls he was unable to lead the Three Lions to a title. England are still looking to fill the void that continues from being trophyless since their 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning feat.

The 53-year-old will step down with his head held high because he changed the fortunes of the Three Lions and turned them into one of the most competitive teams at recent major tournaments.

Who will be the successor of Gareth Southgate?

There are many options available for the FA. Fans would expect them to recruit someone who can finally end the decades of heartbreaks at major tournaments.

The FA have made a shortlist of Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe, the former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter and former Bayern Munich and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. These are the likely names to succeed Gareth Southgate at the helm of the England football team.

Will the new coach finally break the trophy curse? Maybe, maybe not.

The England team will be back in action in September. They will be up against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the UEFA Nations League.

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