„Thank you, England – for everything“
After eight years, Gareth Southgate steps down as national coach. Even though he has not won a title, he is the country's most successful coach. He has reconciled England with the nation.
“You made us all believe again,” sobbed England international Harry Maguire. His Instagram post was dedicated to Gareth Southgate, who announced his retirement on Tuesday afternoon, a day and a half after the painful 2-1 defeat to Spain in the European Championship final: 'You restored our faith in a World Cup and European Championship title.
Since their only World Cup victory to date in 1966, England have been eagerly awaiting another triumph, and there is probably no better way to sum up Southgate's work as national coach for English soccer than Maguire's honorable statement. Although the Manchester United defender was not nominated for the European Championship squad this time due to a lack of form, he was one of the first players to thank his boss. In his almost eight-year tenure, Southgate has succeeded in restoring the reputation of the motherland of soccer both nationally and internationally, which had been lost for good following the Round of 16 apocalypse against Iceland at Euro 2016 under predecessor Roy Hodgson. Since then, the English have reconciled themselves with their own national team and have even grown to love it again. Southgate no longer wants to jeopardize this legacy.
Prince William praises Southgate as a “class act”, a true gentleman
The 53-year-old explained his departure after 102 international matches by saying that the job had been the honor of a lifetime for him as a proud Englishman and that he had given his all. In his view, it was time for a new chapter and a change in the coaching position. He did not go into the exact reasons for his move. Southgate spoke less about his own health than about his long-time assistants and supporters, whom he paid a very personal tribute to. He concluded by thanking the whole country: “Thank you, England - for everything”.
First and foremost, Southgate deserves the compliment. Since the fall of 2016, when he took over as coach from 67-day flop Sam Allardyce, he has re-established England among the world's best. Even if it wasn't quite enough to win the title he had hoped for, Southgate is the most consistently successful coach in the country's history: the Three Lions reached at least the quarter-finals in all four tournaments under him, including a European Championship final for the first time in 2021, which was lost to Italy on penalties. Prince William, who is also president of the English Football Association (FA) due to his royal role in the kingdom, praised the philanthropist Southgate as an “all-round class act”, a gentleman who is sublime in every respect, which is practically the highest possible praise in England. The coach had shown “humility, compassion and real leadership qualities”, according to the heir to the royal throne.
Gareth Southgate did not want to become a burden for the players after the public criticism
Southgate's strength of character and meticulousness rubbed off on the team. The coach's influence was particularly evident in his 100th international match, when England defeated Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the European Championship in the once dreaded penalty shoot-out. With his serious work, Southgate has made the job of England coach respectable again and laid the foundations for his successors. For them, it will now be a question of bringing out the qualities of the players and giving the team a footballing sparkle. Southgate's England have always failed at tournaments against superior teams, such as Spain. The massive criticism of the recent unspectacular style of play is also said to have led to the coach quitting. Southgate did not want to become a burden for the players.
Southgate's quick decision - his contract officially runs until the end of the year - gives the FA valuable time to find a solution before the next international matches in September. Most of the possible candidates are coaches who have already worked successfully in the Premier League. These include Eddie Howe, who is employed by Newcastle United, and ex-Chelsea coach Graham Potter. The two Englishmen are probably more in the favor of the association than the former internationals Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, who have not yet been able to build on their former successes on the pitch as coaches.
Two German coaches are also being touted as successors: Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel
The FA is also likely to consider the involvement of England U-21 coach Lee Carsley - as well as international greats Jürgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, who are all currently without a job. They could all be attracted by the prospect of leading a highly talented team to the 2026 World Cup, where they could attempt to win England's first title in 60 years. However, after leaving Liverpool, Klopp announced that he would be taking at least a year off. In any case, the next national team coach is sure to have the support of his predecessor. Southgate said he would remain a fan of the team and enjoy their successes.
A future title would crown his work in retrospect. But even so, Maguire believes that the memories of his time with Gareth Southgate will last forever.