Gareth Southgate’s eight-year reign as England manager is officially over. The 53-year-old has stepped down in sorry circumstances just two days after the gutting Euro 2024 final defeat at the hands of Spain.
In an emotional open letter, the “proud Englishman” admitted: “It’s time for change, and for a new chapter.” He added: “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.”
Southgate waves goodbye as the second most successful England manager of all time – despite failing to win a trophy. He reached the finals of Euro 2020, losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley, and Euro 2024 as well as the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
Prince William said: “Gareth, I want to thank you – not as the President of the @FA, but as an @England fan. Thank you for creating a team that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest in 2024.
“Thank you for showing humility, compassion, and true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny. And thank you for being an all-round class act. You should be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved. W.”
There was a clamour during the Euros for more front-foot attack-minded football, and that has led for some calls for the FA to poach ex-Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp to replace Southgate. Klopp is on a sabbatical currently but is one of the best managers in the world.
But he would be the first German of all time to manage the Three Lions. There is of course a long-running rivalry between the two countries that might make things awkward.
Ex-England striker Gary Lineker said: “Do you go English? There’s only really Eddie Howe. Somebody maybe like Lampard, who would get respect. But wouldn’t you go all out for Jurgen Klopp? Klopp is out of a job and would have had a bit of a rest.”
He joked after Klopp’s nine-year Liverpool tenure: “He’s not really German, is he? He’s half German, isn’t he, because he’s been in England for so long!”
Only two non-English tacticians have taken charge of the England men’s team – Swede Sven Goran Eriksson who was in charge from 2001 to 2006 and Italian Fabio Capello who was on the touchline between 2008 and 2012.
Argentine Mauricio Pochettino is another candidate unemployed after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent after one season. Again, however, there is a divide between Argentina and England which could cause problems.
But what do you think? Does Southgate’s replacement have to be English? Have your say in our poll below…
Lineker, speaking on his The Rest Is Football podcast, has suggested ex-Chelsea midfielder Lampard could be a strong contender. He said: “I wouldn’t disregard Frank Lampard. I think he tactically gets it. I think the players will respect him immediately.
“I think he’s been a bit unlucky in his managerial career in some ways. I think he gets it tactically.” Lampard was the interim manager at Chelsea most recently between April and May 2023.
That followed a 12-month stint at Everton which ended with the sack. He was also axed by Chelsea in a previous spell at Stamford Bridge between July 2019 and January 2021.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and Graham Potter, the former Brighton and Chelsea head coach, appear the strongest options to date.
The FA will be sure to take their time to sound out the best potential replacement but England’s next match comes quickly, on September 7, when they travel to Dublin to face Ireland in a Nations League showdown.
