Ranking Gareth Southgate’s best moments as England manager
2C47JKC Goalkeeper catches the ball in the stadium during a football game
Gareth Southgate’s time as England manager is over.
The 53-year-old, who was appointed in 2017, changed the culture of the Three Lions throughout the four major tournaments he was in charge for.
Southgate transformed England from a disjointed outfit to perennial challengers for the biggest prizes in international football, always capable of entertaining those betting on football.
Despite his reputation for cautious tactics and favouritism with player selection, Southgate provided England fans with moments to cherish forever, and many will look back on his time fondly even after defeat in successive Euros finals.
“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.”
While finding a replacement for Southgate is no easy task, in this article we reflect on his career as England manager and look at some of his best moments.
First taste of tournament action
The 2018 World Cup was like stepping into the unknown for England. It was Southgate’s first tournament in charge and would go on to be the most successful the Three Lions had been on the world stage since 1990.
Things got off to a fine start in perhaps the most pivotal moment of Southgate’s career. England’s campaign began with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Tunisia, setting the tone for their World Cup journey.
Despite dominating the possession, Harry Kane would have to wait until the 91st minute to grab his brace and ultimately the winning goal. This would go on to show his side’s resilience and build momentum throughout the tournament.
That Trippier free-kick
England would reach the semi-finals of the World Cup before falling short to Croatia in extra time, however, there were moments early in the game where many thought football was coming home.
The former Tottenham Hotspur defender rattled the opener in after five minutes in Russia before the Croats pulled two goals back to play in the final. England fell short but earned widespread admiration for their performance.
Euro 2020 – Reaching the Final
Three years later, Southgate achieved another historic milestone by leading England to the final of a major tournament for the first time since 1966. Euro 2020, delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw England play most of their matches at Wembley Stadium, further amplifying the nation’s hopes and expectations.
After qualifying through the group stages, an emphatic 2-0 win over Germany in the Round of 16 was a particular highlight of Southgate’s tenure, especially given the previous heartbreak Joachim Löw had caused England.
Although England ultimately fell short in the final, losing on penalties to Italy, the journey to that point had already cemented Southgate’s legacy. His ability to get the best out of his players and unite a nation through challenging times showcased his man management skills at their best.
Leaving it late against Slovakia
Following an underwhelming run at the 2022 World Cup, culminating with a defeat to France in the last eight, England knew they had to quickly turn things around.
Another slow start to life at Euro 2024 was encapsulated by 90 minutes of misery against Slovakia. The underdogs had battled resiliently and looked to hold onto a 1-0 lead until Jude Bellingham’s acrobatic equaliser saved the day just seconds from time.
England had all the momentum and Southgate’s brilliant use of substitutions ensured Kane would score the winner on route to another final, which ended up being the manager’s last game after Spain lifted the trophy in Berlin.
