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Gareth Southgate releases statement confirming his decision to step down as England manager

Gareth Southgate releases a statement confirming his decision to step down as England manager after the Euros Final defeat to Spain.

The Three Lions’ lost 2-1 in Berlin on Sunday night, making it the second consecutive Euros Final defeat for his side having been beaten on penalties by Italy at Wembley three years prior.

The 53 year old was in charge of his country for 102 games in eight years in charge. But now he says it is time for change.

GARETH SOUTHGATE’S STATEMENT:

Three Lions boss to leave role after 102 games in charge

As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. 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.

I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.

I could not have had anyone better alongside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation, and has been immense.

I have had the privilege of leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.

The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St. George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football, and understand the power football has to drive positive change.

My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant ‘team behind the team’.

We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be.

I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.

Thank you, England – for everything.

FA STATEMENT:

On behalf of English football, I would like to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate and to Steve Holland for everything they have achieved.

Over the last eight years they have transformed the England men’s team, delivering unforgettable memories for everyone who loves the Three Lions. We look back at Gareth’s tenure with huge pride – his contribution to the English game, including a significant role in player development, and in culture transformation has been unique. However, it is his record of winning tournament games which is most extraordinary.

In the 25 tournaments post 1966 before Gareth took charge, we had won seven knockout games. In his four tournaments we have won nine. So, in his eight years, he has won more games that really matter than in the previous 50 years.

And of course, we have had strong tournament performances throughout their tenure. We came so close to winning the EUROs in London and securing the first trophy for our men’s team for over 50 years – and came so close again in Berlin on Sunday.

Before Gareth, our longest time ranked in the top five in the world was seven months. In his tenure we have been ranked there for six years.

Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success. He is held in the highest regard by the players, the backroom team, by everyone at the FA and across the world of football.

We are very proud of everything Gareth and Steve achieved for England, and will be forever grateful to them.

The process for appointing Gareth’s successor is now under way and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible. Our UEFA Nations League campaign starts in September, and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed.

We know there will be inevitable speculation, but we won’t be commenting further on our process until we appoint.

Mark Bullingham
FA Chief Executive

Candidates revealed as England have replacement in mind should Gareth Southgate step down

This is how fans reacted as Gareth Southgate releases a statement confirming his decision to step down as England manager…

@MIkey_smith13: Stress-free qualifying, players enjoying wearing the shirt and consistently reaching the latter stages of tournaments. It’s been a fantastic ride which the hardcore travelling supporters, armchair fans (🙋🏻‍♂️) and bandwagon riders have all enjoyed at various points 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@robin1302: If someone had said walking out of the ground in Nice in 2016 that I would see England in a World Cup SF 2 years later, and in the next 2 Euro Finals, I’d have laughed out loud. Gutted that we never got over the line, but for the above I appreciate what Southgate has done.

@holte: Thanks Gareth, you took over at a time when England were a laughing stock and gave us our pride back. You will go down as one of the most successful managers in English history. But I think it’s time for somone else to have a go and try to find that final gear in this great team

@GrayConnolly: Gareth Southgate was the best England manager of my lifetime and he always set a high standard for his players to follow. A very decent man whose numerous great qualities will be long remembered when all his worst critics & their vitriol have faded away.

@TheSopranosClub: Right decision and here’s why. First of all, he is a gentleman and I have always liked him. However, the pattern didn’t change, even if the pattern of how far we reached in competitions did. There is no reason to believe that previous managers what not have reached the semi and finals with the same teams to beat. It’s been freakishly lucky for us a nation to face lesser favourite teams in the early knock out stages. When we faced the bigger teams under Southgate, we lost, as we seem to do previously for decades. I admire Gareth’s decision 👏 PS: Losing to Iceland was a one off.

@Pu55yman_Dan: Surely he would have left when we lost against the euros in the group. Not saying he should have but he literally won against them and now he wants to leave when we can’t play for ages. Thanks for the memories though.

@SamCKx: The most successful manager in 58 years. We’ve had a string of high profile managers, and a huge amount of footballing talent during that time, and this guy took us further than anyone in generations. Replacing him will be a very tough task.

@bcfctom_: One of the greatest managers in English national team history, gutted we could never get over the line with him 💔 Thanks for everything Gareth ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@ConnorHolden00: Thank you for everything, the foundations are built, now to find that final 1% under another manager and bring it home 🤝

@daveyates: For the first time since Alf Ramsey did it in 66, Gareth Southgate has set a bar for English football. Whoever comes next will know that normal for English football is semi-finalist or finalist at Euros or World Cups. He’ll be remembered for that, not for over-defensive football

@AaronBrewer9928: Tell you what, thanks for the memories Southgate. Criticised you a fair few times but I will never forget the memories you made us have ❤️ gutted we couldn’t win it for you

@GiallorossiBlue: I called for Southgate to go during this tournament and I do think the timing is right, but now he’s gone I’m actually sad. He loves England and he took what was the laughing stock of our nation and for the most part brought pride and enthusiasm back for the national team.

@EnglandIrie: Picked us up following Iceland/Allardyce debacle – absolute thankless job – 2 finals without a golden generation of left backs, centre halves or strikers. Got the vast majority of decisions – including resignation – correct. Tough act to follow! Bravo Gareth – enjoy your rest!

@toonchants:
I understand those opposed to Gareth Southgate’s tactics etc but
Gareth should leave with his head held high
1 – Changed expectancy in 🏆with 9 knockout wins
2 – Changed Penalty 🧠 with 3/4 wins
3 – England ranked Top 5 for most of his reign
4 – Min Semifinal in 3 tournaments
*
1 – We won 6 knockout games 1968-2016
2 – 1 win in 7 beforehand!
3 – Being in the top 10 of the world helps “easy draw” rhetoric
4 – We had 2 semifinals in 50 years before him!!

@allmoshnopit: Thank you for your service Gareth. I don’t always agree with your tactics but you brought unity back to our team and gave us some incredible moments. Onto the next chapter

@JudeChels: I don’t want to see a single person giving him stick now. Massively under appreciated within this country for what he’s done. It probably was time for a fresh start but he’s done a fantastic job

@ncfc_cam_: Done a great job but this generation of players can do so much more under a more proactive coach. Thanks for transforming the culture Gareth but the right decision to move on…

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