Gareth Southgate has left his role as England manager.
The news comes two days after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
“It’s time for change, and for a new chapter,” said Southgate.
The 53-year-old had been Three Lions boss for eight years and exits the role after a fourth major tournament in charge, saying playing and then managing his country “has been the honour of my life and meant everything to me”.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham says England aim to have to a new manager “as soon as possible” but that an interim boss will be in place “if needed” for the UEFA Nations League campaign, which begins against Republic of Ireland on Saturday September 7.
Bullingham said: “The process for appointing Gareth’s successor is now under way and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible. We know there will be inevitable speculation, but we won’t be commenting further on our process until we appoint.”
Sky Sports News understands senior figures at the FA are big fans of former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter and that FA technical supporter John McDermott is a supporter of Mauricio Pochettino.
Ex-Chelsea, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino is understood to be open to talks about the England role.
Southgate departs England job after eight years
Southgate stepped up from the U21s to take charge of the senior side following Sam Allardyce’s abrupt exit in September 2016 and guided England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
The former England defender then led his side to the final of Euro 2020 – which they lost on penalties to Italy at Wembley – before a quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup.
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Sky Sports senior reporter Rob Dorsett takes a closer look at the possible reasons behind Southgate’s decision to step down as England manager
His final tournament in charge was this summer, as England were edged out 2-1 by Spain in the final. England became the first team in the history of the European Championships to lose consecutive finals.
Southgate’s contract with the FA was due to expire at the end of this year, but ahead of Euro 2024, he admitted to German publication Bild the tournament would likely be his last if England did not lift the trophy.
Sky Sports News understands that Southgate accepts criticism of his tactics and selections but is concerned about the level of criticism from certain sections of the media and how that affected the safety of those close to him.
Southgate: It is time for a change and a new chapter
Southgate’s statement read in full: “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.
Southgate led England to a World Cup semi-final and two Euros finals
“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’.
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Former England forward Alan Smith says Southgate took the fear out of players performing for the national side
“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.”
‘Southgate made the impossible job possible’
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham:
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Howe, Potter on FA shortlist for Southgate successor
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter are on the FA’s shortlist to succeed Southgate at England
The FA has drawn up a lengthy shortlist of possible candidates to replace Southgate as England manager – and that list includes current Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, and former Chelsea manager Graham Potter, Sky Sports News understands.
Also on the list of candidates is former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently out of work. It is thought he would be interested in the idea of talking to the FA.
Lee Carsley, the England U21 boss, is thought to be under consideration too, with the FA keen to include in its recruitment process managers who have come through the ranks at St George’s Park.
Bullingham and the FA’s technical director John McDermott will lead the decision-making process, and it’s understood an English coach would be their preference. Now Southgate has left, it is clear they will undergo a thorough process of due diligence and talk to a number of potential managers, before making the ultimate decision.
However, with England due to start their Nations League campaign in six weeks’ time, the FA does not have time to dither.
‘Obvious that Southgate’s departure was coming’
Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett:
“We’ve been saying we expected Gareth Southgate to walk away after this tournament. I think he had that in his mind for some time.
“Take yourself back to the 4-0 defeat to Hungary at Molineux in the build-up to the Qatar World Cup. He said after that he thought about resigning then because he got such a level of criticism and abuse from supporters.
“Southgate was surprised by how vehement that abuse was from England supporters as he walked off the pitch. Then, of course, we thought he might walk away after Qatar but he was persuaded to stay on.
“It was obvious this was coming. He had plastic beer cups thrown at him by some supporters, which was a minority but what wasn’t a minority was the level of booing directed at Southgate all over Germany during this tournament.
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Watch Southgate’s first and last press conferences as England manager
“When the stadium announcer would read out Southgate’s name and there was a significant number of England fans booing his name and that, I’ve never seen before.
“That on top of the fact that he was criticised by former players he considered friends in Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
“Add to that being criticised after being unbeaten in the group stage and topping the group… I think the England manager was just sick of it.
“Southgate has real ambitions to get back into club management. He thinks he can do a very good job for a club side high up in the Premier League, a Champions League club.
“Whilst it’s the end of his time as England manager, It’s not the end of his time as a manager. He has ambitions to move on from here.”
The highs and lows of Southgate’s tenure
- September 2016 – Appointed England manager
- July 2018 – England reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 28 years but lose 2-1 to Croatia
- June 2019 – England reach the semi-finals of the inaugural Nations League but lose 3-1 to Netherlands
- July 2021 – England reach the final of the Euros for the first time but lose to Italy on penalties after a 1-1 draw
- September 2022 – England are relegated from the top tier of the Nations League after failing to win any of their six matches
- December 2022 – England are knocked out of the World Cup by France in the quarter-finals
- July 2024 – England reach the Euro 2024 final with dramatic knockout wins over Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands – but lose to Spain in Berlin.