In a candid reveal, Gareth Southgate has admitted he had already decided to step down as England manager before their heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the 54-year-old hinted that his future may lie away from football management altogether.
Southgate’s Pre-Planned Departure
Though publicly Southgate said in the aftermath of the 2-1 loss in Berlin that he would “speak to the right people” about his England future, he confessed on the radio show that the decision was made well before the final whistle. Southgate had Adele’s emotive ballad “Someone Like You” on repeat during the tournament, noting the lyrics resonated with him deeply.
“I knew I was going to be leaving…There were so many of the words in it that, even if I hear it today, it relates to my relationship with England. They’ve got to move on and you wish them the best and there are regrets, but there were actually memories that were made.”
Gareth Southgate on Desert Island Discs
A Storied Tenure
Southgate’s eight-year reign, spanning 2016 to 2024, saw England reach unprecedented heights. Under his calm, measured leadership, the Three Lions roared to:
- Two European Championship finals (2020, 2024)
- A World Cup semi-final (2018)
- A Nations League 3rd place finish (2019)
- Consistent top 4 FIFA rankings
His ability to unite both the squad and the nation, implementing a progressive playing style and promoting youth, won plaudits globally. Yet for all the promise, tangible success ultimately eluded Southgate’s England.
New Horizons Beckon
In yet another teaser, Southgate suggested his next role may not necessarily be in football management. Having held one of the biggest jobs in world football, the former Middlesbrough boss seemed to ponder a change in direction.
“When you’re a coach and you’ve had one of the biggest jobs, how do you follow that up?”
Gareth Southgate pondering his future
Southgate had already hinted in November 2023 that he was open to opportunities outside of football. On Desert Island Discs, his song choice of “The Scientist” by Coldplay, with lyrics about “questions of science and progress”, added further fuel to the speculation.
An Enduring Legacy
Wherever his path leads next, Southgate’s impact on English football is undeniable. He inherited a side scarred by embarrassing tournament exits and rocked by scandal. Through a mix of diligence, empathy, tactical nous and unflinching belief in his methods, he restored pride to the shirt and reconnected the team with its fervent fanbase.
While the ultimate prize proved elusive, the foundations Southgate laid – a defined playing philosophy, a production line of supreme young talent, a renewed winning culture – ensures the future remains bright for England. The quiet man from Crawley departs as a revered national hero, forever etched into Three Lions folklore.
The Succession Plan
Talk will now inevitably turn to Southgate’s successor. Early front-runners include Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, who has masterminded the Magpies’ resurgence, and Graham Potter of Chelsea, renowned for his progressive approach. England under-21 boss Lee Carsley and Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper, both acclaimed for their youth development records, are also in the frame.
The FA now faces a defining choice – continuity with Southgate’s philosophy or a new direction entirely? As the post-Southgate era dawns, only one thing is certain: the man who made people fall in love with England again will be an incredibly tough act to follow.
