Jamie Carragher sends warning to next England manager after Gareth Southgate bombshell
After 102 matches and eight years as England head coach, Gareth Southgate has stepped down from his position leaving the FA to search for a new manager
Jamie Carragher has warned that Gareth Southgate will be a “tough act to follow.”
Southgate announced his decision to quit as England manager on Tuesday, after 102 matches at the helm, having taken charge in 2016. The Three Lions chief elected to stand down following England’s Euro 2024 Final defeat to Spain, announcing his decision in a statement issued via the Football Association.
“As a proud Englishman, 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,” he said.
“But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager.”
During England’s time in Germany, where performances were criticised as they rather stumbled through the group stages and early knockout rounds, ex-England defender Carragher backed Southgate’s management - at a time when other pundits were claiming he was hindering rather than helping when it came to performance levels.
And the former Liverpool captain again insisted on Monday that, if Southgate wanted to remain in charge, he was still the best man for the job.
Now, following the news, he made clear his feelings on Southgate’s tenure, declaring: “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!”
HAVE YOUR SAY! Was the criticism of Gareth Southgate's management at Euro 2024 justified? Comment below.
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 Twitter : “ 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.”
Gary Lineker, who had been critical of Southgate during the tournament, also had his say, declaring: “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.
“He was close, very close to footballing immortality and he always did the job with humility, decency and dignity. Thank you, Gareth.”
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