Gareth Southgate steps down as England manager following the loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Gareth Southgate has stepped down as the manager of the England national team following their loss to Spain in the final of Euro 2024. This decision marks the end of Southgate’s tenure as the third longest-serving manager in England’s history, having overseen 102 matches and securing victory in 61 of them.

Under Southgate’s guidance, England reached the final of Euro 2024, a remarkable achievement considering their previous appearance in the final of Euro 2020, where they were defeated by Italy. The 53-year-old manager’s contract was set to expire in December of this year, and he had previously acknowledged that the tournament in Germany was likely his last opportunity to win a major trophy with the national team.

In light of the outcome, Southgate expressed his gratitude towards the players and fans for their unwavering support throughout his eight-year tenure. Since his appointment in 2016, he has led the Three Lions in four major tournaments, with their most notable performance being the Euro 2020 final, where they suffered a heartbreaking loss to Italy in a penalty shootout.

England entered Euro 2024 as the favorites according to bookmakers, and this status remained intact as they progressed through the knockout stages. Their journey began with a favorable draw against Slovakia, ranked 45th in the FIFA rankings. However, their defeat to Spain in the final marked Southgate’s worst result at a major tournament and England’s earliest exit since their shocking elimination by Iceland in Euro 2016.

Looking ahead, the focus now shifts to the future of the England national team and who will take the reins as the new manager. The expectations will undoubtedly be high, as the nation hopes to build upon the progress made under Southgate’s leadership and strive for success in future tournaments.