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:
Gareth Southgate was perfect for England – so can he adapt to club football?
Having been so ideally suited to the role of England manager, how Gareth Southgate handles his next job will be fascinating. Richard Jolly explores what the future may hold:
Gareth Southgate was perfect for England – so can he adapt to club football?
Southgate rebuilt the England men’s team and while he will now seek a major job in club football, his true calling may be a vital role within the Football Association to continue his work
FA provides update on next England manager as Gareth Southgate resigns
The Football Association (FA) has begun the process of replacing Gareth Southgate after the England manager stepped down on Tuesday, and the organisation has said “an interim solution” is “in place if it is needed”.
Southgate announced on Tuesday (16 July) that he would not be continuing as England manager, following eight years in charge and a loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
FA provides update on next England manager as Gareth Southgate resigns
Southgate stepped down on Tuesday, two days after the Three Lions lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain
Gareth Southgate’s legacy will be joy he brought to watching England, says Miguel Delaney
England highs and lows under Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate suffered European Championship final heartache again with a 2-1 defeat against Spain in Berlin and announced his decision to step down as manager on Tuesday.
England came up agonisingly short at the last hurdle for the second tournament running as Mikel Oyarzabal fired a late winner after Cole Palmer had cancelled out Nico Williams’ opener.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the highs and lows of Southgate’s reign.
England highs and lows under Gareth Southgate
Southgate announced his decision to leave as manager on Tuesday.
Who should replace Gareth Southgate as England manager? Join The Independent Debate
Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager, and speculation has already begun about who will take on his job.
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and current Newcastle manager Eddie Howe have both been linked with the post in the aftermath of Southgate’s announcement.
Now we want to know if you think it was the right time for Southgate to step down. Who can lead England’s men to victory in the 2026 World Cup?
Join the conversation with other Independent readers below.
Tell us who should replace Gareth Southgate as England manager
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and current Newcastle manager Eddie Howe have already been linked with the post – but are they the right fit to lead the England men’s team to victory?
Who is Lee Carsley? England consider Under-21s boss as next manager to succeed Gareth Southgate
Lee Carsley is a contender to replace Gareth Southgate to become the next England manager.
Southgate stepped down on Tuesday following the crushing defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
And speculation immediately spread with the Football Association assessing a number of options and eager to make a quick appointment.
Carsley, the England Under-21 manager, is perhaps the surprise candidate but the FA think highly of him.
Who is Lee Carsley? The surprise candidate to become next England manager
The Under-21s manager is set to be considered for the senior role after turning down the chance to become the Republic of Ireland boss
Gary Lineker names manager he would like to replace Gareth Southgate at England
Newcastle chief says club will fight to keep Eddie Howe amid England speculation
Newcastle will fight to hold on to Eddie Howe amid speculation linking him with the England job.
Howe is one of the bookmakers’ favourites to succeed Gareth Southgate, who announced he was standing down after almost eight years as national team boss on Tuesday morning.
However, Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales is determined to hold on to Howe, after confirming the 46-year-old had agreed a multi-year contract extension last summer.
Newcastle chief says club will fight to keep Eddie Howe amid England speculation
Howe is one of the bookmakers’ favourites to succeed Gareth Southgate.
Gareth Southgate’s England legacy is bigger than any trophy
A gentleman to his core, Gareth Southgate has always been willing to stop and speak, which was why it was so striking that he walked right out of Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Sunday without wishing to add any more to his official post-final press conference. He didn’t want to have to publicly talk about a decision that he had already made. Southgate didn’t even need the few days he’d requested. He knew. The players, disappointed but understanding, also knew.
Gareth Southgate’s England legacy is bigger than any trophy
The Three Lions lost a second successive final in Berlin but, as Miguel Delaney writes, Gareth Southgate leaves something greater than purely results on the pitch
Dear England writer James Graham thanks Southgate for bringing back ‘the joy’
Dear England playwright James Graham has said Gareth Southgate “brought the joy back” as he hailed the England manager for bringing about “a renaissance in the game.”
Southgate announced his decision to quit in a statement issued by the Football Association on Tuesday morning, following the team’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday night.
Graham’s hit play Dear England tells the story of the football manager and England’s journey to the 2022 World Cup, and is set to be turned into a BBC television drama.
Dear England writer James Graham thanks Southgate for bringing back ‘the joy’
The playwright praised the England manager for bringing about ‘a renaissance in the game’.
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