After almost eight years as England head coach, a period which saw the national team reach the final of two successive Euro campaigns, Gareth Soutgate has officially resigned from his role this morning.

🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 BREAKING: Gareth Southgate has LEFT his role as manager of the England national team.

It’s over. pic.twitter.com/jIuCwRhkJZ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2024

His resignation comes off the back of England’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain in the European Championship final on Sunday, after clawing their way through a sequence of trying, testing knockout fixtures.

Southgate came under fire early in the tournament for England’s perceived “boring approach”, and there had been rumors prior to the Euro’s kicking off that it could well be his last tournament in charge should his side fail to win it.

Asked about the reasons behind his decision, Southgate spoke candidly, saying: “As a proud Englishman, it has been the honor of my life to play for and 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.”

Gareth Southgate's statement as he steps down as @England manager after eight years and 102 games 👏 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/HygzdRSC5k

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 16, 2024

The news follows two days of speculation over possible replacements for him should he leave, and though nothing was made official until today, there was a strong feeling that now is the right time for a change in perspective.

Current favorites for the vacancy include Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, former Chelsea and Brighton coach Graham Potter, as well as recently sacked Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. Though a name isn’t expected to be announced for some time yet, the three names above are the current favorites.

Who should be next England manager? pic.twitter.com/1bb4VMlgde

— No Context Brits (@NoContextBrits) July 16, 2024

Southgate was appointed in September 2016, with the nation still reeling from a shock Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland. With Southgate at the helm, his calm demeanor and self assuredness quickly gained the trust and belief of the players, and soon results took a leap in the right direction.

At his first major tournament, the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Southgate’s steady hand guided England to their first World Cup semi final since 1990, 28 years earlier, even managing to emerge from a penalty shootout against Colombia, their first victory in such a scenario for 22 years.

Coming agonizingly close to reaching the final, England were trumped by a strong Croatia team who found a late winner in the second half of extra time.

At a postponed Euro 2020, which eventually took place in the summer of 2021 due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Southgate went a step further, taking England to their first major final since the famed World Cup triumph of 1966. This time, they faced Italy, and despite good opportunities, and taking the lead after two minutes through left back Luke Shaw, the Italian backline stayed strong, and took the game to a penalty shootout.

Tragically, England missed their last three penalties, handing Italy the Euros, and ensuring that the wait to bring football home would go on.

🇮🇹🏆 3 YEARS AGO TODAY... ✅

Italy won EURO 2020 by beating England 3-2 on penalties! ✨ pic.twitter.com/JYSABRv2eF

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 11, 2024

There was great optimism going into the 2022 World Cup, and England progressed to the quarter finals comfortably, but here they would meet France, the eventual runners up. Heartbreak once again came in the form of a penalty, as in the 84th minute, star striker Harry Kane missed a spot kick to level the game, and they would end losing the game 2-1.

In the most recent campaign at Euro 2024, Southgate once again navigated the group comfortably enough, though he came under criticism for England’s lack of creativity, as they scored just two goals in three games.

They then beat Slovenia in the round of 16 (thanks to a 95th minute bicycle kick by Jude Bellingham to force extra time), Switzerland in the quarter finals (via penalties), and the Netherlands in the semi finals (thanks to a 90th minute Ollie Watkins finish).

In the final they were pitted against a dominant Spain, and found themselves behind in the 47th minute after Spain caught the England backline napping. However, in the 73rd minute, England equalized through substitute Cole Palmer, and the game looked to be heading to extra time.

But with three minutes of normal time to play, Spanish sub Mikel Oyarzabal prodded home to hand the Spanish their fourth Euros win, more than any other nation.

Oyarzabal, portada de The Times pic.twitter.com/jpeq1ysih4

— Joxemarismo (@Joxemarismo) July 15, 2024

It was the second Euros final in which Southgate and England had tasted defeat in a three year stretch, and he leaves seemingly to have reached his ceiling with the team.

He leaves behind excellent foundations for his successor, who will have an extremely talented squad to choose from. One of Southgate’s biggest successes has been ingraining that latter tournament expectancy into the side, having won more major tournament knockout games (9) in a six year period than every previous manager combined since 1966.

Southgate oversaw wonderful victories and scarcely believable moments in his time in charge (to read about those, click here), and he has brought England back to where they belong, near the pinnacle of international football. His successor, whoever that may be, will have all the tools necessary to go the extra mile and lead the country to glory.

Thank you for everything Gareth

Best England manager of my lifetime

If the next man is successful, they will owe you so much for the way you've changed the mentality of playing for England https://t.co/A7K3bHk2tX

— Toby Tarrant (@tobytarrant) July 16, 2024

While he may be gone, he most certainly will not be forgotten: dragging us out the hole we had dug with our defeat to Iceland, he has taken us beyond even the most optimistic expectations when he was announced as coach, and for his services to the England team, and to the country as a whole, it only seems right to send him off with honor and respect. Thank you Gareth Southgate.