LAST UPDATE | 16 Jul

ENGLAND MANAGER GARETH Southgate has formally resigned. 

After 102 games and almost eight years in charge, Gareth Southgate has announced he is to leave his role as manager of the #ThreeLions.

— England (@England) July 16, 2024

The news comes following England’s loss to Spain in the Euros final on Sunday. Southgate has managed the England national team since 2016, and has led the England team into two World Cups and two European Championships.

In a message written by Southgate to accompany the news, he said it had been “the honour of [his] life” to play for England and to manage the English team.

“It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all,” he said. 

“But it’s time for a change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager.”

He went on to thank coach Steve Holland and the backroom staff, and commended the players and the fans.

“Thank you, England – for everything,” he signed off.

Chief executive of the Football Association, Mark Bullingham, paid tribute to Southgate’s time as England manager in a statement today.

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

He highlighted that in the 25 tournaments following 1966 before Southgate took charge, the team had seven knockout games – in his four tournaments, the team have won nine. 

Similarly, before Southgate took charge, the team’s longest time ranked in the world’s top five was seven months. Under Southgate’s tenure, they have been ranked there for six years.

Bullingham confirmed that the process for appointing a successor is underway, saying “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,” he added.

England’s next competitive fixture as part of the Nations League is against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on 7 September.