„After eight years and 102 matches, the Gareth Southgate era is over. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the European Championship final marked his final game in charge of the Three Lions.
„Appointed in 2016 following the all-too-short tenure of Sam Allardyce, he has been the formidable challenger of getting England’s men’s team off the ground. Recent tournament performances have been embarrassing and England have not won a knockout competition since 2006.
„The 2018 World Cup, against all odds, saw Southgate take England to the semi-finals, only to be knocked out by a talented and experienced Croatia side. England will be favored for breaking the penalty shootout hoodoo against Colombia. Southgate has restored pride in the national team.
„His first European Championship campaign – delayed by a year due to the pandemic – saw him take England to their first major final since 1966. Only a heartbreaking penalty shootout kept him out of the history books.
„England beat the likes of Iran, Wales and Senegal at the 2022 World Cup to exit France at the quarter-final stage. England equaled the progress of the 2018 World Cup winners that evening, with Harry Kane finishing second. Punishment of the night, who knows how it ended.
„Euro 2024 was a slow game for England, but Southgate took them to another final – and their first away. Spain – the best team – won the tournament – you can’t complain about that.
„For many England supporters, the Southgate years are some of the best they’ve ever seen, and I’m one of them. I’ll always be grateful for memories like the win against Colombia, the 2-0 win over Germany at Euro 2020 and last week’s win against the Netherlands.
„Of course, every England supporter wants a trophy. Every supporter of every nation on the planet wants it. But Southgate has left his tenure with England looking more successful than he came.
„England now need to find someone who can improve their identity, but Southgate’s personality management and understanding of how to navigate a tournament cannot be underestimated. Whoever his successor is, they will have big shoes to fill.”