Gareth Southgate said on Tuesday he was resigning as England manager, two days after they lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
�It�s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday�s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager,� Southgate said in a statement.
Names immediately bandied around as 53-year-old Southgate�s successor are Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, and two former Chelsea handlers, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.
Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham said Southgate had �made the impossible job possible�.
Southgate took over in 2016 when England�s fortunes were at a low ebb, having exited the Euros after defeat to Iceland and then Sam Allardyce had to resign over a scandal.
In the last four tournaments Southgate led England to three semi-finals and two finals.
Prior to his appointment, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semi-finals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup.
But despite changing the fortunes of the England team, Southgate was unable to land a first trophy for 58 years as England lost 2-1 to Spain on Sunday.
�Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success,� said Bullingham in a statement.
�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.�
Southgate, who is also credited for restoring pride and lustre to the team as well as turning the players into role models off the pitch, said the job had been a dream of a lifetime for him.
�As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England,� he said.
�It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.�
AFP
