Gareth Southgate resigns as England head coach after Three Lions' Euro 2024 loss

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London, Jul 16: Gareth Southgate has stepped down as the coach of the England national football team after the team's loss to Spain in the Euro 2024. Spain defeated England 2-1 in a thrilling final.

Southgate, thus, draws curtains on his eight-year-old stint and 102 international games as the coach of Three Lions.

Under the watch of the 53-year-old former English defender, England made it to the FIFA World Cup quarter-final, semi-finals and Euro final. He stepped into the role after Sam Allardyce's sudden departure in September 2016.

Southgate managed England in four major tournaments, starting with the 2018 World Cup where he guided the team to the semi-finals.

The former defender then took the team to their first major tournament final since 1966 at Euro 2020, narrowly losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley. In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he led the team to the quarter-finals.

In his final tournament, Southgate's squad reached their first-ever final on foreign soil, but a 2-1 defeat to Spain made England the first team to lose consecutive Euros finals, and Southgate the only manager to lose two such finals.

Over 102 matches in charge, Southgate secured 61 victories, with England scoring 223 goals during his tenure.

His 14 wins at major tournaments are the most by any England manager, and the team reached more finals (two) under his leadership in four attempts than in their first 23 appearances at the World Cup and Euros.

Speaking to the Football Association's (FA) website, Southgate said, "As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for and manage England."

Southgate, the first manager to lose two finals at the European Championships, had his contract expiring at the end of the year but chose not to reveal his future plans after the disappointment against Spain.

"I don't think now is the right time to make a decision like that," Southgate told ITV. "I need to speak with the right people, but it's just not the moment for that now." But has taken the decision to step down a day later.

Here is the full text of Southgate's statement:

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.

I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men's manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.

I could not have had anyone better alongside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation, and has been immense.

I have had the privilege of leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.

The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St. George's Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football, and understand the power football has to drive positive change.

My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them - the brilliant 'team behind the team'.

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.

I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.

Thank you, England - for everything.