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Gareth Southgate announced on Tuesday that he will be leaving his role as manager of the England men’s national team.
Their decision comes two days after England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
This was the second consecutive final at the European Championships. three lions had lost.
Southgate spent eight years as England manager and took charge of 102 matches.
“As a proud Englishman, playing for England and managing England has been the honor of my lifetime. It means everything to me and I’ve put everything into it,” said Southgate, 53.
“But it is time for change and a new chapter. The final against Spain in Berlin on Sunday was my last game as England manager.
Southgate has captained England at four major international tournaments, reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals in Qatar two years ago.
Before Southgate took over, England had won seven knockout games in 25 international tournaments since winning the World Cup in 1966, and he has been manager of four of them. three lions Nine won.
Southgate has also been credited with creating a positive atmosphere around the team, after years of underachieving on the international stage since winning the World Cup 58 years ago.
However, during Euro 2024 in Germany, England’s playing style came under scrutiny, with some fans throwing plastic cups onto the pitch after a 0–0 draw with Slovenia, a result that sealed the team’s place in the last 16. Done.
But as England secured their place in the tournament, Southgate regained much of the supporters’ goodwill, particularly through his team’s propensity for late-game heroics.
England fell badly to Spain in the final, however, becoming the first team to lose two consecutive Euro finals.
“The team we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of,” Southgate said.
“I am very proud of him, and I hope that we at St George’s Park and the FA will support the players and team who strive every day to make English football better, and understand that it is important to bring positive change to football. Has the strength of.”
According to the English Football Association, St George’s Park is the “home” of all 23 England national football teams.
Southgate said: “We have the best fans in the world and their support means a lot to me. I am an England fan and always will be.”
Southgate was appointed England manager in 2016 following the sudden departure of Sam Allardyce. Southgate was a familiar face to many members of the senior national team after working with the under-21 team between 2013 and 2016.
As England manager, Southgate won 62 of the 102 games he presided over.
Prince William – who is chairman of the English FA – thanked Southgate for all the work he has done as manager of the team.
“Thank you for building a team that will stand shoulder to shoulder with the best players in the world in 2024,” the Prince of Wales wrote on Twitter. “Thank you for showing humility, compassion and true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny.
“And thank you for doing an all-round class job. You should be incredibly proud of what you have achieved.
During his playing days, Southgate was a defender who played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesborough.
Earning 57 caps as a player, his international playing career is best known for the decisive penalty he saved against Germany in the Euro 1996 semi-final, which resulted in England’s exit from the tournament.
FA CEO Mark Bullingham said “We are extremely proud of what Gareth and Steve have achieved for England and we will always be grateful to them.”
“Gareth has made the impossible possible and has laid a strong foundation for future success. He is hugely respected by the players, the backroom team, the FA and everyone around the world of football.”
Bullingham said that the process for a new England manager is underway.
This is a developing story and will be updated.