Lost 2 major finals… reviewing Gareth Southgate’s highs and lows as England coach
Gareth Southgate assumed leadership of England team in 2016 when he replaced Sam Allardyce, during a period of poor performance. Under his guidance, English national team has since achieved impressive results, reaching the semifinals three times and the finals twice in the last four tournaments.
In a shocking turn of events, Gareth Southgate announced his resignation as England national team coach on Tuesday 16th July 2024, two days after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain, bringing an end to an eight-year tenure marked by both triumph and heartache.
“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England,” said the 53-year-old on Tuesday. “It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.”
“It’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager,” he said in a statement.
Before Southgate took charge, England’s national team had only made it to the semifinals of a major tournament three times and the final once, which was their victorious 1966 World Cup campaign.
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As the football association bids farewell to a dedicated leader, we reflect on the highs and lows of Southgate’s reign.
Southgate’s tenure will be remembered for its many successes, including leading England to their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years, where they ultimately finished fourth, and reaching their first major tournament final in 55 years, ultimately losing to Italy in a penalty shootout at Euro 2020.
They also got to the quarter-finals in 2022 world Cup where France knocked them out with a 1-2 win. The “Nord” took the three lions to another Euro final in 2024 making it a Back-to-back Euro final. This time, they did not meet the Italians rather, they played a very inform Spanish team who won them 2-1 in normal time.
He also nurtured the careers of stars like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Kobbie Mainoo, gave them their first senior national team call up, integrating them into the senior team with great success, and implemented an attractive brand of football that earned praise from fans and pundits alike.
Despite the successes, Southgate’s reign was not without its challenges. England’s 2018 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, losing to Croatia in the semifinals after leading 2-1, and the penalty shootout loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final was a devastating blow. Southgate also faced the difficult task of managing his team through the COVID-19 pandemic and racist abuse aimed at his players, and his tactics and team selection were often scrutinized, particularly during the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate leaves behind a legacy of dedication, passion, and progress. His impact on English football will be felt for years to come.
The English FA has already begun searching for a successor and number of names have been mentioned including Eddie Howe and Graham Potter and others.
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