Gareth Southgate’s time as England manager should be remembered for restoring “pride, respect and a togetherness” to the national team, despite falling just short of “footballing immortality”, according to Gary Lineker.
Southgate announced his decision to stand down as England manager on Tuesday, saying it is time for a “new chapter” for the national team.
Having taken charge of England in 2016 following the shock exit to Iceland in that summer’s Euros and the shortlived reign of Sam Allardyce, the former Middlesbrough boss went on to guide the team to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and successive European Championship finals.
Former England striker and broadcaster Lineker – who was very critical of Southgate and England’s performances during the tournament – feels the departing manager’s contribution should not just be measured in results.
“Wishing Gareth Southgate all the very best in the future. He brought pride, respect and a togetherness to England that we hadn’t seen for a long time,” Lineker said on X.
“He was close, very close to footballing immortality and he always did the job with humility, decency and dignity. Thank you, Gareth.”
Read more:
-
The one England player who made official Euro 2024 team of tournament
-
Gareth Southgate steps down as England boss after Euro 2024 final
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher described Southgate’s time as manager as a “great ride”.
In a post on X, Carragher said: “It’s been a great ride for all involved over the last eight years.
“Two finals, semi final and a quarter final in Gareth Southgate’s four tournaments is a very tough act to follow!”
BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton, who covered Euro 2024, feels Southgate can leave with his head held high.
The former striker, who was capped once by England in 1997 when playing for Blackburn, wrote on X: “Gareth Southgate is a class act and can leave his position as England manager with his head held high and with great pride with what he has achieved.”
Former England international Alan Smith said Southgate had “brought an enjoyment to the job” and “took the fear out of it”.
Smith, who won 13 caps while playing for Arsenal, said on Sky Sports News: “Players finally looked forward to joining up (with England) whereas before maybe they would be a bit reticent.
“He has proved it can be done, and obviously has had a fine group of players to do it with.
“My reaction is one of sadness that he has gone, because he is a fine individual, we all know that, but going on to the World Cup was perhaps a step too far given the nature of the performances (at Euro 2024), rather than getting to the final, which was a great achievement.
“The criticism he received, he clearly took that to heart and you can only do this job for so long – it wears you down and I think that has happened to Gareth."
Read more:
- Manchester United expect approach for Scotland hero Scott McTominay
- Newcastle chief says club will fight to keep England-linked Eddie Howe
Ex-England defender Gary Neville was not surprised at Southgate’s decision.
“I think there were hints through the tournament when he was speaking that he thought it might be the time,” Neville said on Sky Sports News.
“We can only thank him for what he has done for the national side.”
“I am not sure it is based on Sunday’s result (in the final), it was (probably) just a feeling after that game.
“He has had an amazing eight years and exceeded all expectations of every single England fan. He deserves to call it a day on his own terms and he has done that.
“He knows England better than anybody. It was the right moment for him, he has done an outstanding job.”
Read more:
- Eilish McColgan wants to make Scotland proud after learning Olympics fate
- Dundee die-hard makes 'difficult to say goodbye' vow as exit confirmed
Neville won 85 caps between 1995 and 2007 and was also part of England’s backroom coaching staff at Euro 2016.
“He has achieved incredible things on the pitch, but he has also achieved incredible things off the pitch,” Neville added.
“How difficult it is to manage the politics of England, the media, the club-versus-country rivalries which existed? He has removed a lot of those barriers.
“He has handled penalties better than anybody, reduced the fear, so he has done an incredible job, but it will have taken a toll on him.”
Allardyce feels Southgate’s “legacy is successful” from the progress under his eight-year spell.
“From when he took over and to where he’s finished has been nothing but success and the success of Gareth, his backroom staff on the players has to be admired,” former England boss Allardyce said on Sky Sports.
“I think he’s handled himself absolutely fantastically well – and eight years is an awful long time to cope with the pressures that this job brings.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer is in no doubt Southgate “should be applauded for everything that he has done”.
Shearer, who was part of the England squad with Southgate which reached the semi-finals at Euro 96, said to BBC Sport: “He has taken England from rock bottom after that Iceland result in 2016 to a semi-final and finals.
“We said during this Euros they might not have played as well as they could have, but the atmosphere he has created helped them through to another final.
“In the bigger picture, Gareth should be applauded for everything he has done with England. The expectation is now you have to get to finals and win trophies.”
