By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager after the Three Lions’ crushing 2-1 defeat by Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.
Southgate, 53, was under contract until December but has decided to quit following after nearly eight years in the role.
The 53-year-old managed his country for 102 games in eight years in charge.
“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England,” said Southgate.
“It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.
“But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter.”
Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said the process to appoint Southgate’s successor has started and “we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible”.
He added the FA “have an interim solution in place if it is needed” and will not comment further on the process until a new boss is appointed.
England’s next match is against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League on 7 September.
Southgate is the only manager bar 1966 World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey to lead the England men’s team into a major tournament final.
He managed England at four major tournaments, also reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and quarter-finals in 2022.
Southgate, who replaced Sam Allardyce after his short-lived spell, won 61 of his 102 games in charge of England, drawing 24 and losing 17.
The former defender, who won 57 caps for England between 1995 and 2004, has been involved in the England set-up since 2013, having managed the under-21s for three years prior to taking the top job.