Gareth Southgate LIVE: Reaction as FA prepared to wait for Pep Guardiola as England boss’ replacement
The Three Lions boss has opted to step aside and a new manager is now set to take over ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Eddie Howe the early favourite to succeed him
Gareth Southgate has decided to step down as England manager following defeat to Spain in a tightly contested Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
He announced his decision to quit in a statement issued by the Football Association on Tuesday morning. “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,” he said. “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.”
Speculation has begun as to who will succeed Southgate, with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola seen as the outstanding candidate. Guardiola is still contracted to the Premier League club but there is a feeling that he could become available next summer with the FA prepared to wait and see if he would be open to the role.
The likes of Englishmen Graham Potter and Eddie Howe have also been linked with the role, while Mauricio Pochettino is also considered to understand the culture around the national team by the FA, which is a trait they will target when appointing a replacement.
Follow all the latest reaction after Southgate’s decision and the FA’s pursuit of a new manager below:
Jude Bellingham and England players react to Gareth Southgate’s England resignation
England players have paid tribute to Gareth Southgate after the manager stepped down from his role after eight years in charge.
Southgate resigned after England were beaten 2-1 by Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin, a second heartbreaking final loss at the European Championship following defeat by Italy at Wembley three years ago.
Jude Bellingham and England players react to Gareth Southgate’s England resignation
Southgate steps down after eight years in charge of England saying the team needs ‘a new chapter’
England manager search begins as Gareth Southgate ends ‘extraordinary’ reign
The search for an England manager to match or even beat the “extraordinary” achievements of Gareth Southgate is under way, with the Football Association not ruling out handing the job to a foreign coach.
Southgate called time on his near eight-year reign on Tuesday morning, saying it had been “the honour of his life” to play for and manage England but felt it was now “time for change and for a new chapter” after Sunday’s Euro 2024 final defeat.
The FA had been keen for Southgate to stay on beyond his existing contract, which ran until December, but now must identify someone to build on Southgate’s impressive tenure which includes taking England to two Euro finals and the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
England manager search begins as Gareth Southgate ends ‘extraordinary’ reign
Southgate said it had been “the honour of his life” to play for and manage England.
Who are the contenders to be the next England manager?
Lee Carsley
Former Derby and Everton midfielder Carsley has enjoyed significant success as England Under-21s boss, guiding his side to European Championship glory last summer. Birmingham-born, he won 40 senior caps for Republic of Ireland and, at 50, has a wealth of coaching experience with Coventry, Sheffield United, Brentford, Manchester City, Birmingham and England U20s.
Who are the contenders to be the next England manager?
Mauricio Pochettino
A leading contender. A Premier League and Champions League runner-up with Tottenham and a Ligue 1 winner with Paris St Germain. Pochettino has an impressive CV, especially in England after winning admirers as Southampton boss. The 52-year-old also has a proven track record of developing young talent, with Cole Palmer at Chelsea a case in point before the Argentinian departed Stamford Bridge in June.
Who are the contenders to be the next England manager?
Graham Potter
Potter, 49, had been on a steep upward trajectory before being sacked by Chelsea after less than seven months in April 2023. Currently out of work, he previously performed miracles in Sweden with Ostersund and steered Brighton to their highest Premier League finish, with Pep Guardiola describing the Seagulls’ progressive football as “a joy to watch, a joy to analyse”.
Who are the contenders to be the next England manager?
Eddie Howe
The Newcastle boss, one of only three English managers in the Premier League next season, would be a popular choice. The media-savvy 46-year-old delivered Champions League football at St James’ Park for the first time in 20 years and twice guided Bournemouth to top-flight promotion with an attacking brand of football that England fans have been demanding.
Gareth Southgate is right to go – England need a new chapter
Gareth Southgate has decided his future. It was described as 50-50 before the Euro 2024 final, but after losing to Spain, the mood was naturally much gloomier.
Gareth Southgate is right to go – England need a new chapter
The Three Lions fell short in Berlin against Spain and their superior idea, Miguel Delaney writes, meaning the time is right for Southgate to leave and allow somebody else to finish the job
FA willing to wait for Pep Guardiola and could appoint interim England manager to replace Gareth Southgate
The Football Association would consider the idea of appointing an interim in order to try and coax Pep Guardiola as England manager if he does decide to leave Manchester City in 2025. While it is not the federation’s first choice to wait, the Catalan represents such an outstanding candidate that it would at least bring a re-assessment if there was any chance of getting him.
Gareth Southgate’s resignation was announced on Tuesday morning, just two days after the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, putting into action a long-prepared FA plan for his departure. The priority now is for a manager who understands the culture of the national team, which Guardiola fits into perfectly having spent eight years in England and supplied so many players. He has naturally been high on any ideal list, but the feeling was previously that it would be near impossible to get him out of City for such a job.
FA want Guardiola and could appoint interim England manager to replace Southgate
Guardiola remains under contract at Manchester City but there is a feeling he could be persuaded to take on the England job
‘Thank you, England’: Gareth Southgate’s statement in full as he explains resignation
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.
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’.
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.
‘Thank you, England’: Gareth Southgate’s statement in full as he explains resignation
The manager said it was time for ‘a new chapter’ as he walked away from England after eight years
Predicting England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup after Euro 2024 final heartbreak
And Richard Jolly has also been looking at the future of England’s squad, which may look a little different by the time the 2026 World Cup rolls around...
Predicting England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup
The task is likelier to be one of evolution not revolution, whoever the manager is – but in picking 26 for 2026, there are issues
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