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,” he said, announcing his resignation.
It comes just two days after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
“Chief executive Mark Burlingham 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 was until December, and the FA reportedly wanted him to lead the national team until the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America.
England have suffered from a “trophy hunger” since winning the 1966 World Cup on home soil, and have not won 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 2024, losing 1-2 to Spain in the final.
While the team performed as well as they did at the last tournament, the public opinion of Southgate was negative after a series of frustrating performances.
After a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in the group stage, fans threw plastic beer cups at Southgate.
Although it was a “sad ending,” Southgate’s performance was certainly outstanding.
Before him, no other coach had led England to two major finals.
Southgate is also the first manager to lead England to a major tournament final away from home.
During Southgate’s tenure, England finished in the top five of the FIFA rankings for six years; before he took over, the longest period in the top five was seven months.
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.
“I would like to thank Gareth, not just as FA chairman, but as an England fan,” Prince William, who serves as FA chairman, wrote on social media, ”for showing humility, compassion and true leadership under extreme pressure and critical scrutiny.”
Southgate’s potential successors include Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (England) and former Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel (Germany). 카지노사이트
