The manager of the English national football team, Gareth Southgate, has decided to step down. Tuesday marked his stepping down after England lost to Spain in the European Championship final.
This was the second consecutive time that the team had reached the final of a European tournament only to lose it.
Gareth Southgate took up his role as England’s head coach in 2016 and held it until he oversaw 102 games for England.
Some notable achievements for him are reaching the semi finals of World Cup 2018 and appearing in all three finals of Euro Championships from 2021 through 2024.
In Sunday’s final against Spain, England suffered a narrow defeat by 2-1. Post-match, Gareth Southgate said that he would be taking some time off for himself to think about the position going forward as an EPL boss.
“Playing for and managing my country has been my life as an Englishman. I gave it everything; it means everything.” The statement reads.
“But now is time for a change and a new chapter in my life. The last game I managed for England was Sunday’s final against Spain in Berlin.
“I feel privileged to have managed one hundred and two matches with very large groups of players who were proud every time they put on their shirts bearing three lions and have made their mark outside,” Southgate explained.”
Since Gareth Southgate took over four years ago, there has been a complete overhaul in fortunes for England at international football level which saw them transform into continental powers. Under Southgate’s leadership though they won just one world cup back in ’66 they still rose high
They showcase their strong footwork skills when they reach European Championship finals in 2021 before being defeat by Italy through penalties.
Their impressive form continued into next year where they made it through to round eight of 2022 World Cup.
