After two consecutive runner-up finishes at the European Football Championship (Euro), England soccer team manager Gareth Southgate has stepped down.
According to Reuters and other major foreign media outlets on Saturday, Southgate released a statement saying, “It is time to change and start a new chapter. Sunday’s (Nov. 14) final against Spain in Berlin will be my last game as England manager,” and announced his resignation.
It comes just two days after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
“Chief executive Mark Burlingham has thanked Southgate for his decision to step down,” the English Football Association (FA) said on social media.
Southgate, the “longevity boss” who has been in charge of England since 2016 and has coached 102 matches, is stepping down after eight years in charge.
His contract ran until December, and the FA reportedly wanted him to lead the national team until the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America.
England has been suffering from a “trophy thirst” since winning the 1966 World Cup on home soil and has not been linked with a major trophy since.
Under Southgate’s leadership, the Three Lions enjoyed a strong run of form, including a fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and a runner-up finish at Euro 2020.
However, the team’s fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia led to a growing negative perception of the Southgate ship.
England finished runners-up at Euro 2020, losing 1-2 in the final to Spain.
While the team’s performance was the same as at the last tournament, it was a frustrating one, and the public opinion of Southgate was negative.
In a statement, Southgate said: “As a proud Englishman, it has been the honor of my life to play for and manage the England national team. I have given my all,” he reflected.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (England) and former Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel (Germany) are among the favorites to succeed Southgate. 안전놀이터
