Gareth Southgate has guided England through a remarkable journey over the past eight years, but the recent defeat by Spain may mark the end of his tenure as England manager. Following the painful loss in Berlin, Southgate will undoubtedly be deeply affected, but once the final of Euro 2024 is over and the dust settles, he may decide it’s time to step down.
Southgate’s decision should ultimately be his own, and it’s likely it will be, considering the demanding nature of the role he has held for so long. If he chooses to leave, he can do so with immense pride. When he took over in 2016, England was at a low point, having suffered a humiliating defeat to Iceland and the subsequent turmoil of Sam Allardyce’s brief and controversial tenure.
Southgate revitalized the team, uniting the squad and leading them to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and the European Championship final in 2021, despite having a less talented squad back then. His leadership fostered a stronger mental state within the team, helping them to reach another final. For these achievements, Southgate deserves tremendous respect and gratitude.
Although Southgate’s efforts have been outstanding, it’s unfortunate that he couldn’t quite bring out the best in the team during the tournament in Germany, which ultimately cost them another final appearance and the chance to win. Predicting the future is always speculative, but he might now feel it’s time to pass the baton to someone else who can take England that final step towards a major tournament victory.
If Southgate does decide to move on, he leaves England in a much stronger position than when he arrived, setting the stage for his successor to build on his solid foundation and finally achieve the ultimate success on the international stage.
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