Southgate leaves England bench!

Only two days after the EURO 2024 final defeat by Spain, Gareth Southgate quit his role as England boss! This way, the 53-year-old kept a promise that he would leave the national team's bench if the Three Lions didn't win the European Championship. Even though Southgate's results highlight him as the most successful England manager in history, the latest 2-1 defeat against Spain was obviously the last straw. Leading the Three Lions, Southgate reached a FIFA World Cup semi-final in 2018 and was twice a vice-champion of Europe in the last two EURO editions.

Southgate announced his decision in an official statement, claiming that managing England has been an honour and meant everything to him. He also thanked all the coaches and players who cooperated with him as well as all the fans who unconditionally supported the national team.

Southgate took over the England job in 2016 and, despite low expectations, managed to leave a mark. Already at his first major tournament - FIFA World Cup 2018 - he succeeded in reaching the first semi-final for England in 28 years. The defeat by Croatia after extra time deprived him and his boys of the grand final. The series of excellent results continued at the EURO 2020. Southgate made a step forward compared to 2018, with England qualifying for the first major tournament final after 55 years and the famous 1966 World Cup title. However, Italy was better and took the European throne.

Burning question: Who will replace Southgate?

Although his spell with the national team was immensely successful, the public in England has always had some objections. The pressure on Southgate and his work was immense, so ahead of this year's continental tournament, he promised that he would resign should the Three Lions fail to win the silverware one more time. England was again very close to bringing it home and again fell short in the dying minutes. A number of pundits and analysts blamed the defeat on Southgate and his decision. The public was dissatisfied explicitly with his starting lineups and the lack of changes, even when things didn't go well.

Even though his contract was due to expire only at the end of this year and even though many sources mentioned that the FA could even offer him the extension, Southgate still opted to make an honourable decision and leave. In the end, he will be remembered as, statistically, the most successful manager of England, although the fact that he didn't win a trophy will forever be a pebble in his shoes. He led England 102 times throughout eight years.

As his potential successors, the public in England mentions former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter, another former Blues and Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino, and the current Newcastle gaffer Eddie Howe. Whoever takes the position will have a challenging task to fill Southgate's shoes, begin a new chapter of the English national team, and finally bring them a major trophy they last won in 1966.