Gareth Southgate has resigned as England men’s team coach.
Southgate’s decision follows England’s European Cup final defeat by Spain on Sunday.
After the game, the 53-year-old refused to comment on his future with his contract, which expires in December.
“As a proud Englishman, playing for England and managing England is the honor of my life. It means everything to me, and I’ve given it my all,” Southgate said in a statement via the FA on Tuesday.
But it’s time for a change and a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my last as England manager.
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“In 102 games, I have had the opportunity to lead a large group of players. Each of them was proud to come with the three lions on their shirts; They have been a blessing to their country in many ways.
“The team we have taken to Germany is full of amazing young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am very proud, and I hope that every day at St George’s Park and the FA we will meet players and a team who strive to improve English football and understand that football needs to make a positive difference.
“I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create even more special memories and connect and inspire the public as we know they can.”
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Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland has also left his role.
England reached back-to-back European Championship finals under Southgate but lost both (Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images)
Southgate joined the England Under-21 team in 2013 as head coach. Following the departure of Sam Allardyce in September 2016, the former Middlesbrough manager was put in charge of the senior team on an interim basis and the appointment was made permanent two months later.
The Football Association (FA) is concerned that England’s two previous major tournament appearances, Euro 2016 last 16 loss to Iceland and exit from the 2014 World Cup in the group stages, will weigh on expectations ahead of the 2018 World Cup. A long-term plan has been prepared.
However, Southgate led England to the semi-finals – the men’s first major tournament semi-final appearance since 1996 and first since 1990 at the World Cup.
England beat Colombia on penalties in the last 16 and the win was particularly poignant for Southgate after missing the decisive penalty for England in the Euro 96 semi-finals. Penalties and the team proved to be ready for the tournament, in doing so they suffered a five-game losing streak.
(Robbie Jay Barrett – AMA/Getty Images)
England then beat Sweden 2-0 in the previous round before losing to Croatia 2-1 in extra time in the semi-finals.
Ahead of Euro 2020, Southgate has penned an open letter to fans in the Players’ Tribune as his country emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic. He writes about what it means to represent England, the team’s culture and identity and the importance of his side talking about issues of equality and racial injustice. The England team takes a knee before every Euro 2020 game.
Southgate’s team have reached the finals of Euro 2020 – the men’s first major tournament final since 1966. Germany, Ukraine and Denmark won the knockout stages, with Germany and Denmark’s victories taking place at Wembley Stadium.
The final was tied at 1-1 after 120 minutes and went to penalty kicks. Italy won 4-3 after Bucayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford missed their respective penalties – with Southgate replacing the duo in the 120th minute.
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It has been speculated that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar could be Southgate’s last England manager. Second-seeded France eventually won, advancing the team to the quarter-finals. Captain Harry Kane missed a penalty in the 2-1 defeat, and Southgate was later confirmed as England manager.
England was one of several countries to wear the OneLove logo at the tournament as a sign of solidarity with LGBTQI+ people convicted of crimes in Qatar. However, they backed down after being threatened with unsportsmanlike conduct by FIFA. Southgate later acknowledged members of the LGBTQI+ community were “outraged” by the decision.
Ahead of Euro 2024, Southgate opted not to select Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish, previously regulars in the squad.
The team struggled for qualification during the season, scoring just two goals in the group stage. In the last minute, Judd Bellingham’s header saved Slovakia in the last 16 and Kane scored in extra time.
Southgate’s side then beat Switzerland in the quarter-finals with a 1-1 draw on penalty kicks before coming from behind to beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals, Ollie Watkins coming off the bench to score the final goal. – minute winner.
In Sunday’s final, England scored a 73rd-minute equalizer through Nico Williams’ substitute Cole Palmer shortly after the break. But Spain’s own substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner just minutes into England’s back-to-back defeats in the Euro finals.
(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)