"I’m An England Fan And I Always Will Be": Gareth Southgate Resigns As England Manager

England manager Gareth Southgate has resigned following the Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain. His contract was due to expire in December. The 53-year-old, who was appointed England manager in 2016, managed the England men's national team for 102 games in eight years.

"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," said Southgate in a statement released by the English Football Association (FA). He started working with the FA in 2011 as head of elite development.

After 102 games and almost eight years in charge, Gareth Southgate has announced he is to leave his role as manager of the #ThreeLions.

— England (@England) July 16, 2024

Gareth Southgate also said that he had the privilege of leading a large group of players and added that every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts. "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," England’s most successful manager in terms of consistent major tournament performance wrote in the statement. Under Southgate, the team reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020.