The coach of the English male national team nicknamed the ‘Three Lions’, Gareth Southgate has stepped down as coach of the team days after losing out to Spain in the EURO 2024 final.
In the tournament final on Sunday, Spain defeated England 2-1, shattering a 58-year curse for the team.
Defeat meant that England had not lifted a major title since 1966 and had not triumphed in consecutive European tournament finals.
The 53-year-old Southgate led England to 102 victories over his eight years in command, and his contract was about to expire later this year.
“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England,” said Southgate.
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“It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.
“But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter.” The coach said.
Chief executive of the Football Association Mark Bullingham stated that “we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible” and that the selection process for Southgate’s replacement has begun.
He also said that the FA “have an interim solution in place if it is needed” and that they would wait to comment on the procedure any longer until a new chief was named.
