Southgate quits latest: Frontrunners emerge for England job (2024)

That's all for our coverage of Gareth Southgate's resignation as England boss.

We have heard from players, pundits, journalists, supporters, politicians, and even royals today as the nation bids farewell to one of its most successful managers.

We will now take a look back at all the major developments of the day and where England go from here...

Southgate's goodbye

After eight years in charge, Southgate called time on his tenure as England boss this morning, calling it the "honour of my life".

The 53-year-old said it's now time "for a new chapter" after his 102nd and final match in charge saw the Three Lions lose 2-1 to Spain in the final of the European Championship.

Southgate gave a special thanks to his "immense" assistant Steve Holland, who he called one of the most talented coaches of his generation.

There was also acknowledgement for his backroom staff, who he says inspired him every day while in the job.

The final thanks was given to the fans, whose support "has meant the world" to Southgate during his tenure.

Reaction from players, politicians, and a prince

There's been no shortage of messages from current and former players, including Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice andGary Lineker.

Bellingham said his former boss was "easily one of the best coaches" in the history of the national team, while Lineker said Southgate had done his job with "humility, decency and dignity".

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared a message of thanks, saying Southgate had brought a "deeper understanding" of what the role means and represents.

Prince William also spoke, he said, from his position as a supporter and not as president of the Football Association.

The Prince of Wales praised Southgate for showing "true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny".

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham pointed out Southgate won nine knockout matches at major tournaments, two more than all the England managers had managed in the last 50 years combined. This, he said, was "most extraordinary".

Looking back on when we first met

Naturally, we have looked back at just how much the England men's team has changed since Southgate first took over in 2016.

At that point, as our sports correspondent Rob Harrisremembers, England were trying to recover from "English football's most embarrassing tournament departure" against Iceland at Euro 2016.

The very culture of what it meant to players to pull on the Three Lions' shirt had to change, and Southgate did it.

He repaired the broken relationship with the media, spoke eloquently on key issues, and got players excited to actually go on international duty again.

On the pitch itself, the contrast between the team he inherited and the one he leaves behind is stark.

He turned the fortunes of the team around and leaves his job as the England boss with more knockout wins, more major tournament appearances and more appearances in major tournament finals than any manager before him.

Who next?

The obvious question now, who could possibly come next?

Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp is the romantic's choice, but would the German consider a job in international football?

Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino are all said to be on the FA's shortlistfor the role, with Newcastle boss Howe also getting the backing of former players like Jamie Carragher.

Whoever it is, they will have a big job following in Southgate's footsteps...

Harry Maguire has now shared his message of thanks for Gareth Southgate.

The Manchester United defender was a stalwart at the back for the Three Lions under Southgate, starting as a first-choice centre-back alongside John Stones at three major tournaments.

A calf injury sustained in April meant Maguire was left out of the squad for Euro 2024.

Whoever takes on the job of England manager after Gareth Southgate will have plenty of work to do if they want to take the Three Lions to the next level.

Southgate has set high standards by reaching successive European Championship finals but getting over the line in those big games still eludes England.

The new boss will have this, plus questions like how to integrate Cole Palmer into the team and what to do with Harry Kane, among their in-tray.

Jamie Carragher speaking on Sky Sports News:

"I've seen the other three or four names that have been mentioned but Eddie Howe is the front-runner by a long way.

"He would bring what Gareth brings, in terms of dealing with the media - he's a very calm and collected individual.

"He's done two very good jobs at Bournemouth and Newcastle and that's something Gareth hadn't done. He's got pedigree, he's a fantastic coach, he's developed young players brilliantly and he's certainly more of an attacking coach.

"I think Eddie Howe is the best man for the job by a street"

Let's share a few more of your comments...

Some think the candidates reportedly shortlisted, including Eddie Howe and Graham Potter, lack the credentials...

Can someone explain why average coaches are even in the running. Failed at Chelsea and managed to miss top four or even close with NUFC. Credentials for England management? Bizarre

Swedenguru

Others are questioning how we as England fans can make the job harder...

Let's hope it's someone thick skinned as we English are never happy with our lot.

Hellesbells

People should be more careful what they wish for. Be prepared for a period of poor results. No offence to managers like Dyche but surely that's not what the fans want. You are not going to get Pep or Klopp. That's madness.

Think about it, what top manager would want the job?

Tom

Who would want it? The media overhype our team and ridicule the manager if we don't win, it's the worst job in football, however I believe an English man should do it, reports of a German will stop me watching another game.

Danny

Others suggest the team could do more...

It does not matter what manager we have it will end with the same results before cos in my opinion it's the players …. They think that they are above the manager because they are successful… so in my opinion the best manager was Southgate…

Snowy18S

Jude Bellingham has joined a growing list of England players to pay tribute to departing boss Gareth Southgate.

"I’d like to thank Gareth and his staff for the great memories during his tenure.

"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."

England No 1 Jordan Pickford has thanked the outgoing Gareth Southgate for believing in him.

Pickford was a mainstay of Southgate's England sides over the years.

"I also want to say a special thank you to the boss for always believing in me during his time with us and I would like to wish him all the best in his next steps. Thank you Gareth."

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and Graham Potter are "very high" on the FA's shortlist of candidates to replace Gareth Southgate, says Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett.

Southgate, who left his role as England manager today - promised in the lead-up to Sunday's Euros final that he would not let the uncertainty over his future drag on for weeks.

Mark Bullingham, the FA chief executive, told reporters before the Euros began they had a comprehensive succession plan in place should either the manager of the men's or women's teams need to be replaced.

"Eddie Howe and Graham Potter are very high on the list of potential targets for England going on from here," says Dorsett.

"Potter is out of work and is gettable, Howe's situation is much more complicated at Newcastle but he is on the FA's shortlist.

"Potter is also on the shortlist, he had a very difficult time at Chelsea but he's a really respected coach across Europe. He's turned down some big jobs, Ajax being one but I was told he could have had talks with AC Milan but chose not to and there were several jobs in the Premier League that he turned down. Potter would be interested in talking to the FA.

"If they don't go for those, the U21's manager Lee Carsley follows the blueprint of what Southgate did. It would be a huge step for him to get the job but he's on the list."

Howe, 46, began his management career at AFC Bournemouth in 2008 and, across two spells with the club, led them to three promotions in seven seasons.

After leaving the club in 2020, Howe was appointed Newcastle boss a year later, helping the Magpies qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years during his first full season in charge.

Potter, 49, enjoyed a 13-year playing career and was capped once for England U21s before hanging up his boots in 2005.

Unusually for an English manager, Potter started his career in the dugout overseas with Swedish outfit Ostersund.

After winning three promotions with the club, he was appointed manager of Swansea City in 2018 before moving on to Brighton & Hove Albion a year later.

After a successful spell with the Seagulls, he was hired by Chelsea in 2022 but was dismissed the following April after a poor run of results.

Kobbie Mainoo has joined his England teammates in thanking Gareth Southgate following his resignation as Three Lions boss.

The Manchester United midfielder was handed his senior England debut by Southgate in March before being named in the squad for Euro 2024.

At the tournament, Mainoo was on the bench for all three group games being called into the starting XI for the knockout stages, starting against Slovakia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Spain.

"Thank you for everything," said Mainoo on Instagram.

Gareth Southgate will go down as England's second-best manager of all time, says Jamie Carragher.

The former Liverpool and England defender has been speaking to Sky Sports News following Southgate's decision to step down as Three Lions boss after eight years in charge.

In that time, Southgate led England to successive European Championship finals and reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

That ranks him just behind England's World Cup-winning manager Sir Alf Ramsey in Carragher's eyes.

"Sir Alf won the trophy," he said. "There was debate before the game as to whether Southgate was the most successful manager. I don't agree with that, I think you've got to win the trophy and Sir Alf has already done that.

"When I look at other England managers that we look back on fondly like Terry Venables and Bobby Robson, I always wonder what things would have been like if social media was about.

"When you look at what Gareth has achieved, he's achieved more than those two who are thought of so highly. What he's achieved puts him far ahead of any England manager bar Sir Alf Ramsey."

Southgate's failure to get England over the line and win a major trophy will undoubtedly be used as a stick to beat him with, but Carragher says the players must shoulder some of that blame.

He said: "I don't think the players let the manager down, you only let the manager down when your attitude isn't right - it was just that players didn't perform to their potential that we know that they have. That's not the manager's fault.

"It's just when push came to shove in the Euros, off the back of a long season, some of our players just weren't at their best and that can happen."