Southgate quits latest: Frontrunners emerge for England job

That’s all for our coverage of Gareth Southgate’s resignation as England boss.

We have heard from players, pundits, journalists, supporters, politicians, and even royals today as the nation bids farewell to one of its most successful managers.

We will now take a look back at all the major developments of the day and where England go from here…

Southgate’s goodbye

After eight years in charge, Southgate called time on his tenure as England boss this morning, calling it the “honour of my life”.

The 53-year-old said it’s now time “for a new chapter” after his 102nd and final match in charge saw the Three Lions lose 2-1 to Spain in the final of the European Championship.

Southgate gave a special thanks to his “immense” assistant Steve Holland, who he called one of the most talented coaches of his generation.

There was also acknowledgement for his backroom staff, who he says inspired him every day while in the job.

The final thanks was given to the fans, whose support “has meant the world” to Southgate during his tenure.

Reaction from players, politicians, and a prince

There’s been no shortage of messages from current and former players, including Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Gary Lineker.

Bellingham said his former boss was “easily one of the best coaches” in the history of the national team, while Lineker said Southgate had done his job with “humility, decency and dignity”.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared a message of thanks, saying Southgate had brought a “deeper understanding” of what the role means and represents.

Prince William also spoke, he said, from his position as a supporter and not as president of the Football Association.

The Prince of Wales praised Southgate for showing “true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny”.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham pointed out Southgate won nine knockout matches at major tournaments, two more than all the England managers had managed in the last 50 years combined. This, he said, was “most extraordinary”.

Looking back on when we first met

Naturally, we have looked back at just how much the England men’s team has changed since Southgate first took over in 2016.

At that point, as our sports correspondent Rob Harris remembers, England were trying to recover from “English football’s most embarrassing tournament departure” against Iceland at Euro 2016.

The very culture of what it meant to players to pull on the Three Lions’ shirt had to change, and Southgate did it. 

He repaired the broken relationship with the media, spoke eloquently on key issues, and got players excited to actually go on international duty again.

On the pitch itself, the contrast between the team he inherited and the one he leaves behind is stark. 

He turned the fortunes of the team around and leaves his job as the England boss with more knockout wins, more major tournament appearances and more appearances in major tournament finals than any manager before him.

Who next?

The obvious question now, who could possibly come next?

Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp is the romantic’s choice, but would the German consider a job in international football?

Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino are all said to be on the FA’s shortlist for the role, with Newcastle boss Howe also getting the backing of former players like Jamie Carragher.

Whoever it is, they will have a big job following in Southgate’s footsteps…