Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager following the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, the English Football Association (FA) confirmed on Tuesday.
Southgate's contract was due to expire in December, and although sources told ESPN the FA wanted him to continue until the 2026 World Cup, Southgate opted to walk away after eight years as manager.
In a statement released by the FA, Southgate said: “As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and manage England. It has meant everything to me and I have given it my all.”
“But it's time for a change and a new chapter. Sunday's final in Berlin against Spain was my last game as England manager.”
Southgate, 53, has played 57 times for England and has managed 102 games as a manager. Only Walter Winterbottom (139) and Sir Alf Ramsey (113) have managed England more often.
After taking charge in 2016, he guided England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the final of Euro 2020 and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup before reaching his first major final on foreign soil in Germany.
Southgate joined the FA as head of elite development in 2011 and since replacing Sam Allardyce five years later has been widely credited with overhauling England's team culture and reconnecting the team with supporters.
“I have had the privilege of leading a great group of players in 102 games,” Southgate's statement continued. “They have all been proud to wear the Three Lions on their shirts and have been a credit to their country in many ways.
“The squad we are taking to Germany is packed with young talent and can win the trophy we all dream of. I am very proud of them and look forward to supporting the players and staff at St George's Park and the FA, who are working hard every day to improve English football and understand the power of football to drive positive change.”
Southgate concluded his message by saying: “We have the best fans in the world and their support has meant a lot to me. I am an England fan and always will be.”
“I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players create more special memories and connect and inspire the nation as we know they can. Thank you, England, for everything.”
Sources have told ESPN that Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino are among the leading candidates to replace Southgate.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed the search had already begun and praised the contribution of Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland to English football.
“Gareth has made the impossible possible and laid a solid foundation for future success,” he said in a statement.
“The players, the coaching staff, everyone at the FA and across the football world hold him in the highest regard.
“We are very proud of everything Gareth and Steve achieved for England and we will be eternally grateful.
“The process to appoint Gareth's successor is already underway and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible. Our UEFA Nations League campaign begins in September and we have an interim solution in place should it be required.
“We know there will be inevitable speculation, but we will not comment further on our process until we make the appointment.”
