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:
Where could Gareth Southgate go next?
Where could Southgate himself end up working next? The 53-year-old has been connected with Manchester United in the past, with the outgoing England manager thought to be well liked by the Ineos hierarchy. Erik ten Hag may have survived his post-season review, but a slow start to the next campaign could prompt the Old Trafford club to think again.
But Southgate’s qualities might be best suited to international football. There is every chance that the Football Association (FA) are keen to keep him in some capacity, perhaps overseeing the development pathway he has helped successfully revamp, but other nations may be interested. With their efforts to tempt Jurgen Klopp across the Atlantic rebuffed, could Southgate be on the radar of the United States as they gear up for a home World Cup in 2026?
Eddie Howe in line to be next England manager after Gareth Southgate resigns
The Football Association will prioritise a coach attuned to English football culture over nationality after Gareth Southgate stepped down as manager. The 53-year-old took a quick decision after a few days’ reflection and talks with senior executives, with the association starting the search for a new boss.
Eddie Howe, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and under-21 manager Lee Carsley are among those currently at the top of the list. Jurgen Klopp would be a consideration, but is not currently interested in returning to the game, having flatly refused an offer from the United States.
Eddie Howe in line to be next England manager after Gareth Southgate resigns
The Newcastle United boss is one of a number of candidates to take over ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Watch Gareth Southgate’s first England press conference
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola tipped to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager
Jurgen Klopp has been tipped by Gary Lineker to succeed Gareth Southgate with the England manager departing after the crushing Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
The former Liverpool manager is currently out of work after walking away from Anfield to take a break from management.
The German was approached by the United States ahead of a World Cup on home soil in 2026, with Gregg Berhalter dismissed after a group stage exit from the Copa America, but quickly rebuffed the opportunity for talks.
Klopp tipped by Lineker to replace Southgate as England manager
The German is currently out of work after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, with Southgate stepping down after defeat in the Euro 2024 final to Spain
Jude Bellingham describes Gareth Southgate as an ‘unbelievable human being'
England’s Jude Bellingham has added his own tribute to the outgoing Gareth Southgate, who made the midfielder the third-youngstest full English international when giving him his debut in 2020.
“The fact is that we came up against a great opponent and fell short, it hurts that we were so close to history and yet couldn’t deliver for the England fans that backed us throughout the highs and lows of the tournament whether that was from back home or out in Germany in the stadiums,” Bellingham reflected on Instagram of England’s Euro 2024 final defeat. “For that we can only hold our hands up and apologise.”
“I’d like to thank Gareth and his staff for the great memories during his tenure.
“From the point of view of a fan who has become a member of the squad, it’s been a rollercoaster of amazing emotions that has instilled hope and joy back into our country.
“It was a privilege being led by someone who is so dedicated and passionate, not only is Gareth easily one of the best coaches in the history of the national team but also an unbelievable human being. Thank you for everything and all the best in the next chapter, Gaffer.”
Memorable matches of Gareth Southgate’s eight-year England tenure
Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager, two days after his team suffered European Championship heartbreak once again with a second straight defeat in the final.
Spain were 2-1 winners in the Euro 2024 showpiece in Berlin, three years on from Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph on penalties at Wembley.
Here, the PA news agency picks out six memorable matches from Southgate’s eight-year reign.
Memorable matches of Gareth Southgate’s eight-year England tenure
The former defender led England to the final of the last two European Championships.
William thanks Southgate for being ‘all-round class act’ as England boss quits
The Prince of Wales has personally thanked Gareth Southgate as an “England fan” for being an “all-round class act” and showing “humility, compassion, and true leadership” after the Three Lions’ manager stepped down in the wake of the Euro 2024 defeat.
William, president of the Football Association (FA), praised Southgate for coping with the “most intense pressure and scrutiny”.
He had created, the prince said, a “team that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest”.
William thanks Southgate for being ‘all-round class act’ as England boss quits
Southgate announced his decision to step down as England manager in a statement on Tuesday morning, just two days after the Euro 2024 final.
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.
Part of that was the atmosphere, as much as the painful late defeat. Southgate decided to stay after the 2022 World Cup because he felt the team was in a good place and there was no real issue with a mere quarter-final elimination. England narrowly lost a 50-50 game against France, so the mood towards Southgate was positive.
After this Euros, it was anything but. Throughout the tournament he repeatedly made reference to the fan opprobrium and the beer cups being thrown at him. That will to castigate Southgate – his “professional capability… questioned beyond belief”, as he put it – has similarly sat alongside the wider punditry discussion around the team. That went from one extreme to another over Euro 2024. Southgate is said to have been irritated by the extent of the criticism from pundits he knows personally.
Some of this was just the circus that surrounds England and the intensity of an international tournament. Part of it, lamentably, was also justified.
It is difficult not to keep returning to a line said by figures within the camp before this tournament. “Gareth is good at everything except the football.”
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 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
Who will be the next England manager? Latest odds to replace Gareth Southgate
The Football Association is hunting for a new England manager after announcing Gareth Southgate has stepped down from role. But who could be in the frame? Here is a look at a selection of the contenders:
Who will be the next England manager? Latest odds to replace Gareth Southgate
A number of top managers are in the frame according to the bookmakers
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments