Gareth Southgate quits England LIVE: Lee Carsley in pole position to take over EXCLUSIVE, Eddie Howe latest updates
GARETH Southgate has quit his role as England manager TWO DAYS after Euro 2024 heartbreak.
Spain edged the Three Lions 2-1 in the final with a late winner from Mikel Oyarzabal.
Southgate goes down as one of England’s greatest-ever managers after leading his country to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final during his tenure.
SunSport understands Lee Carsley is in pole position to take over as interim England boss and is expected to lead the Three Lions into their Nations League campaign, which starts in September.
The FA are on the search for the next person to lead a talented young group of players with Newcastle’s Eddie Howe and former Chelsea gaffer Graham Potter amongst the names linked to the post.
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Seaman reckons Howe is the man
Legendary ex-England keeper Davis Seaman believes Newcastle chief Eddie Howe is the best candidate to succeed Gareth Southgate.
The former Arsenal hero Seaman reckons the ex-Bournemouth chief now has the right level of dealing with top-level players.
Seaman told : "If I had to choose the next England manager I would go for Eddie Howe, because he’s used to dealing with Premier League players.
Credit: Getty "He seems to tick all the boxes for an England manager, and he would have the respect of the players for what he has achieved at Newcastle.
"The FA would have to tempt him away from his club, and it’s tough because that day-to-day life of club management is a big buzz.
"I would imagine every English manager’s dream is to manage England, though, and if you get the opportunity, there aren’t many that would turn it down."
Barca tipped to beat Prem clubs to Spain hero
Arsenal have been told that Chelsea target Nico Williams would be a "perfect fit".
Ex-Gunners defender Bacary Sagna believes Spain's Euro 2024 hero has thrilling "freshness" and technical skills.
Credit: Rex But Sagna also tipped Barcelona to beat Premier League clubs to the signing of Athletic Bilbao's speedy winger.
The ex-Manchester City right-back told : “I would love to see Nico Williams at Arsenal.
"He represents the freshness at the club, he’s got the legs, he’s very good technically, he’s good in-between the lines and can find passes.
“He would fit Arsenal perfectly and if he comes to the Premier League, I would love to see him there.
"But, I believe he will go to Barcelona and he will be reunited the devil on the right wing [Lamine Yamal] and both of them are amazing."
"All the best"
In a tribute to Southgate's tenure on X, the @allontheboard team wrote: "There has been joy, triumph, lovely waistcoats, and tears.
"Thank you for giving the Lions pride and thanks for being you."
Reflecting on Southgate's Legacy
As Gareth Southgate steps down, the next manager will have big shoes to fill. Below are just some of Southgate's England highlights:
- Jude Bellingham’s unforgettable bicycle kick
- The dramatic escape against Slovakia
- Breaking England's penalty shootout curse
- Restoring hope and positivity to the English fanbase
- Achieving revenge for the 2010 knockout by defeating Germany
- Leading England to their first major tournament final in 55 years
Credit: Reuters Southgate won 61 of his 102 games as England manager.
Carsely in the Driver's Seat
Lee Carsely, the former Everton star currently managing the U21 side, is poised to lead England into their Nations League campaign starting in September, as SunSport exclusively revealed.
Despite FA admiration for Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, Carsley is seen as the best fit for the upcoming match against the Republic of Ireland.
Carsley has an incredible record as U21 manager, winning 79 per cent of his 29 matches in charge.
He's also worked with some of the current squad, adeptly deploying Anthony Gordon as a false 9 in England's U21 European success—a tactical move demonstrating the kind of acumen England fans were at times clamouring for in Germany.
Credit: Getty Appointing Carsely would parallel the Spanish FA's decision to promote Luis de la Fuente, the Spaniard who narrowly pipped Southgate to European glory in the final following an impressive campaign.
Southgate Departs
It has now been almost 24 hours since one of England's greatest managers, Gareth Southgate, announced his resignation from the national team.
The news came after a successive European final defeat, with the Three Lions losing narrowly to Spain on Sunday.In his statement, Southgate praised the England fans as the "best in the world."
He said, "It has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me and I have given it my all."
Eddie Howe and Frank Lampard are among the names linked as potential replacements.Southgate legacy is great achievement, not failure
COMMENT: Gareth Southgate deserved to win a trophy as England manager, writes The Sun's Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS.
Unfortunately, you don’t always get what you deserve in life.
No man could have worked harder to give the country the silverware it craved and no man cared more about our national team.
As a player he went through agonies after missing that fateful penalty against Germany at Euro 96 — and victory as a manager in the Euro 2024 final against Spain on Sunday would have been a wonderful redemption.
Southgate himself said he didn’t believe in fairytales — and there was to be no happy ending as ultimately England came up short again when it mattered.
But his legacy should be one of great achievement, not of failure.
This is an England boss who transformed our feelings towards the Three Lions.
Hardened fans, who claimed they only cared about their club, fell back in love with England during Gareth’s eight years in charge.
As The Sun’s chief football writer, I followed England through the Sven Göran Eriksson era, on to Steve McClaren, then Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson.
None of them could hold a candle to Southgate.
Gareth Southgate quits as England manager after Euro 2024 exitREAD SHAUN CUSTIS' FULL VERDICT BY CLICKING BELOW:
Spurs favourites for Three Lions striker
Tottenham have emerged as the favourites to sign Ivan Toney – if England’s Euro 2024 fringe striker leaves Brentford this summer.
Manchester United are tipped to back off after landing Joshua Zirkzee as competition for Rasmus Hojlund.
And Arsenal’s reported interest is all said to have ebbed.
The Gunners could well focus, transfer wise, on another midfielder.
Instead, spurs’ need could be greatest as they weigh up an offer for the $60million-rated star.
'Potter fits the profile'
Graham Potter and Eddie Howe are rightly regarded as early favourites to succeed Gareth Southgate as England boss.
So reckons Paul Parker after Southgate's resignation yesterday - but the ex-Three Lions' defender also believes only one of them might be ready.
The former Manchester United star told : “Graham Potter fits the profile in my opinion.
"The way he is as a person and the way he manages teams, everything suggests to him.
"Eddie Howe? Does he really need that? Does he really want that? Does he want to win something as a manager at Newcastle before he goes and takes the England job?
"Because if he goes and wins a trophy at Newcastle, then that might be the time to walk away from Newcastle.”
“And to be fair, if you want to do it and that's a great way of doing it and that's backing yourself. It's then easier to walk away from a club like Newcastle. "
Odds slashed on Casrsley
Lee Carsley has shot up to second favourite to become England's next manager.
Ex-Chelsea chief Graham Potter is still rated the clear frontrunner to succeed Gareth Southgate.
But England under-21 chief Carsley has soared up the list, helped by suggestions he might get the job on an interim basis.
Next in the list come Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are fifth and sixth in the Coral odds
ODDS: 7-4 Graham Potter, 3 Lee Carsley, 7-2 Eddie Howe, 7 Mauricio Pochettino, 10 Jurgen Klopp, 14 Pep Guardiola, 16 Ange Postecoglou, 20 Bar.
Matt won't be taking the hijs with his wages
Nethertlands' Euro 2024 ace Matthijs de Ligt might arrive at Manchester United as only a mid-range earner.
Credit: Alamy The Bayern Munich central defender is said to have accepted a five-year deal at Old Trafford worth around £170,000 a week.
It’s reckoned the £42million fee could be paid in instalments - if the move goes ahead.
But if the wage packet is as suggested, De Ligt would be behind a handful of players fighting for their Red Devils’ future.
It’s understood those picking up more are Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes,
'Loyalty was Gareth's biggest problem'
Chris Waddle reckons Gareth Southgate's one noticeable weakness as England boss was staying loyal to the same core bunch of players.
The former Three Lions winger reckons that hampered England's ability to overcome injuries and bring on new talent.
Waddle told : "Over the last four or five years, he's basically had a certain team.
"You could name the team before the squad was announced, and he’s been loyal to his group of players that have been with him at previous tournaments.
"I think injuries to key players have created problems. For me, those injuries highlight a lack of succession planning. Maguire and Shaw particularly."
But the ex Newcastle and Spurs star believes Southgate did try something different in reaching his second successive Euros final, only for Spain to win 2-1.
Waddle added: "This squad has seen him change his approach and bring in form players, leaving out the likes of Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford for example.
"By playing the same players, he hasn’t given new guys an opportunity to play at this level. It felt like at this tournament with the squad he has picked, he’s been playing catch-up in terms of trying to bed players into the team at speed."
Prem giants queue up for England ace
Arsenal and Tottenham have the edge on Manchester United and Manchester City over recruiting Eberechi Eze.
That’s the verdict of Gunners’ strike legend Alan Smith as Crystal Palace brace themselves for bids for their England Euro 2024 fringe player.
Smith told of the Eagles: “They would have gone into this summer begrudgingly prepared to let one of their crown jewels depart.
Credit: PA “Michael Olise has already moved onto Bayern Munich, so that will have addressed any financial concerns the club may have had and the funds raised from his sale will help them bring in their own players.
“In terms of a preference of club, Eze is a London boy, so perhaps that gives an advantage to the likes of Arsenal or Spurs if they are indeed interested in him.
“I think he’s definitely good enough to play for one of the bigger clubs in the league, no disrespect to Palace.”
Cole digs deep
Chelsea's Cole Palmer returned to work immediately after England's Euro 2024 heartbreak.
The Three Lions came close to their first major honour since 1966 on Sunday but lost 2-1 to Spain in the final.
Palmer, 22, came on to cancel out Nico Williams' opener only for Mikel Oyarzabal to slide a late winner.
England were left gutted after a second successive Euros final loss.
However, Palmer went back to work just 48 hours later as he hit the gym hard.
The playmaker shared a story on showing him lifting weights.
Palmer worked on his triceps and biceps in his bid to get ready for pre-season and posted the words: "Straight back to it."
'We won't reach even semis without Southgate'
Danny Mills warned England will not even make the semi- finals of the next World Cup — without Gareth Southgate in charge.
The former Three Lions defender criticised the “arrogance and entitlement” of fans who believe England should be winning tournaments.
He told SunSport: “With Gareth not in charge I’m not sure we will make the semis or final.
"Gareth got us to the semi-finals of his first tournament and it wasn’t good enough.
“We lost the Euros to Italy at Wembley on penalties then this time lost to Spain, who have won every game.
“We haven’t played well at this tournament and that comes down to players.
“They have got to look at themselves and ask ‘Did I play my best?’ The answer for most of them is no. This is the problem.
“We’ve gone back to where we were 12 to 15 years ago when we had this arrogance and entitlement that we would just turn up and win a tournament.
“We have to look at the bigger picture, we didn’t qualify for tournaments in 2008. In 2016, we lost to Iceland, a village team.”
Gareth won nothing... but respect
COMMENT: Gareth Southgate won nothing but changed everything, writes CHARLIE WYETT.
The decision for him to resign is the correct one but Southgate leaves a legacy which will hugely benefit his successor.
So how will he be viewed in history? It might be kinder in a few years’ time.
At the moment, there is still so much frustration at the way it all ended in Berlin.
Yet Southgate is second only to Sir Alf Ramsey in terms of overall success and no other manager gets close.
To get to two major finals — one on foreign soil for the first time — was a huge achievement.
So was the overhaul of a dysfunctional football team which had just lost to Iceland at Euro 2016.
The players were so paranoid they even refused to tell us in France who was the best at playing table tennis.
That deluded group of individuals thought everyone was against them — and they weren’t.
Southgate changed all that with a far more grown-up approach.
CLICK BELOW TO READ HOW SOUTHGATE CHANGED THINGS:
Kane posts farewell to 'one of the greats' Southgate
England captain Harry Kane has posted an emotional message of thanks to Gareth Southgate.
Southgate stepped down as Three Lions boss today after eight years in charge of the nation.
Southgate called time on his stint in the hot-seat for England.
And his captain Kane, who made 81 appearances under the 53-year-old, has taken to social media to thank the gaffer for his time.
The emotional post read: "Boss. Thank you for everything you have done for me and our country! You have been one of England’s greatest ever managers and it has been a pleasure to have served as your captain throughout.
"You helped our nation connect and believe in our team again. There have been so many highlights and we’ve made memories together that will last forever!
"Good luck with your next chapter and I’m sure we’ll see each other around. Thanks Boss!"
Kane captained England at all four of the nation's major tournaments under Southgate and broke the country's all-time goal scoring record under his management.
'Be ambitious - go for Guardiola!'
England must be "ambitious" and approach the "best manager" - Pep Guardiola.
That's the verdict of ex-Three Lions winger Chris Waddle after Gareth Southgate confirmed his resignation.
Credit: PA Newcastle legend Waddle told : "The FA should be ambitious. They should be thinking about replacing Gareth Southgate with the best possible candidate available.
"If we want to win something, if we want to see this group of players play to their absolute potential, then we need to appoint the best.
"I’ve heard that Pep Guardiola is thinking about international management when he leaves Manchester City.
"He wants to work with a group of players that are capable of winning something, so England should tick all the boxes for him.
"The FA should be on his case. They should have a conversation and see if there’s interest. If there is, then they should be doing absolutely everything possible to bring him in.
"That would be brilliant, wouldn't it, to see the players properly coached for a start.
"Of course it would be. His record is unbelievable as a manager and, this is the time to make a move for him. Pep is the perfect candidate."
Pickford rated 'England's best ever keeper'
Ex-Three Lions keeper David James rates Jordan Pickford England's best ever stopper - thanks to his record in major tournaments.
James reckons the Everton No1 has been a major reason the Three Lions have reached two Euros finals..
The ex-Liverpool keeper told : "Jordan Pickford, statistically to start with, is easily the best goalkeeper England have ever had.
"He’s been making terrific saves for England for years now and we saw that against Spain again. Gordon Banks made an amazing save in the 1970 World Cup against Brazil and is likewise among the best, but he only ever played in one final in 1966, whereas Jordan has been there for two.
“Pickford’s influence to get England into finals of major tournaments have been pivotal as well, whether it be penalty saves in shootouts, as we saw against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, or his distribution with the ball at his feet, so yes, I think he’s naturally the best goalkeeper we have ever had for this country.”
'Germany would laugh if we choose Klopp'
Ex-England defender Paul Parker reckons Germans would laugh if England pursued their compatriot Jurgen Klopp for the England job.
The former Manchester United star told : "I would say that to actually be seen as a big nation in football, the manager should come from that nation. I think it makes a big, big difference.”
“We've tried it twice, but it wasn't successful. I don't know why people want to keep doing that.
"With (Mauricio) Pochettino, everyone will say - he hasn't won anything. Klopp? I don't know why we'd want to have a German manager, because I think even the Germans would laugh at us that we've gone to them for a manager.”
Parker also claimed: "managing England isn't always the best person for the job. It's the person who fits the job that most comes first with England.”
Shearer rates Howe the 'outstanding candidate'
Alan Shearer hopes the Three Lions appoint another English manager.
And the Newcastle legend says nothing can stop the most "outstanding candidate" - Toon chief Eddie Howe - taking the job if he is offered it and ants the challenge so early in his career.
England icon Shearer told Betfair: "It's a great job for someone when you look at the talent that we have available.
"I would like the next manager to be an Englishman. We've been down the foreign route before and I know other great managers have been mentioned already but I do think it should be an Englishman in charge.
"I would imagine the outstanding candidate would be Eddie Howe. I think Eddie has a big decision to make because I'm certain the FA will ask him and then whatever happens after that, we don't know. "
"I'm fairly sure that a conversation will have been had or will be ongoing now within the FA where Eddie Howe's name will get a mention. Whether Eddie wants the job or not will be the key."
Toon out
Newcastle have issued a hands-off warning to England over Eddie Howe - and revealed it’ll cost the FA more than they bargained for to get him.
And the Magpies are ready to back him big in the transfer market to help get them back into the Champions League.
The 46-year-old Toon boss is one of the favourites to replace Gareth Southgate at the Three Lions' helm.
But a hush-hush deal penned 12 months ago has not only tied him down long-term to St James’ Park, it has also ensured that the FA would need to cough up even more compensation to get the ex-Bournemouth manager.
Lee Carsley in pole position to succeed Southgate as interim manager EXCLUSIVE
Carsley is in pole position to take over as interim England boss after Gareth Southgate's exit following Euro 2024, SunSport understands.
The former Everton star, who is currently in charge of the U21 side, is expected to lead the Three Lions into their Nations League campaign which starts in September.
FA bosses are big fans of Newcastle manager Eddie Howe but feel Carsley is best placed to take over for the next match against the Republic of Ireland.
A move for Carsley would mirror the appointment of Southgate in 2016 who was promoted from U21s boss to England manager - also initially on an interim basis.
The FA have confirmed they are already working on appointing the next manager, and want the position to be sorted by the time the Nations League campaign starts in September.
A number of candidates have been linked with the vacant position, including Graham Potter, Howe, Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp.
However, SunSport understands German tacticians Tuchel and Klopp are not realistic prospects at this stage.
Jurgen Klopp 'approach'
Liverpool hero Dietmar Hamann claims the FA will approach Jurgen Klopp over replacing Gareth Southgate.
Hamann told :
Jurgen Klopp wants to take a year off and the German national team manager role is taken, but I’m pretty sure England will approach Klopp.
I think a lot of people would be very happy if he were to take over the national team. He said he’s taking a sabbatical so is it possible to wait for six months or maybe let him take over next summer?
There are a few qualifiers but qualifying has always been pretty comfortable for England. I think they will ask him whether he wants to do it and then it’s up to him whether he would accept it or not, Thomas Tuchel might be interested as well.
Years ago it would have been hard to imagine a German manager in England but the chances have never been better than it’s going to happen in the next few months.
On paper, Jurgen Klopp is best placed to lead England to World Cup glory in 2026 because of what he did at Liverpool. He managed to win the Premier League and two Champions League titles, with the squad he had he did wonderful things.
I think with the squad England have got now and also the age of the players, I think they'll be a force for the next two or three tournaments. Obviously the next World Cup is in two years' time. It's certainly something which could get England fans dreaming.
Dietmar HamannGraham Potter tip
England hero Paul Parker advised the FA to hire Graham Potter as Gareth Southgate's replacement.
Parker told :
Graham Potter fits the profile in my opinion. The way he is as a person and the way he manages teams, everything suggests to him.
Eddie Howe? Does he really need that? Does he really want that? Does he want to win something as a manager at Newcastle before he goes and takes the England job? Because if he goes and wins a trophy at Newcastle, then that might be the time to walk away from Newcastle.
And to be fair, if you want to do it and that's a great way of doing it and that's backing yourself. It's then easier to walk away from a club like Newcastle.
To manage England, to put yourself in that position to get persecuted every couple of years.
Paul Parker