Gareth Southgate LIVE: Reaction as FA prepared to wait for Pep Guardiola as England boss’ replacement

England players have paid tribute to Gareth Southgate after the manager stepped down from his role after eight years in charge.

Southgate resigned after England were beaten 2-1 by Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin, a second heartbreaking final loss at the European Championship following defeat by Italy at Wembley three years ago.

“Wishing Gareth Southgate all the very best in the future,” former England striker Gary Lineker has said on X after confirmation that Gareth Southgate has stepped down.

“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 immmortality and he always did the job with humility, decency and dignity. Thank you, Gareth.”

So we know it won’t be Gareth Southgate leading them into the 2026 World Cup, but what players could be representing England at the tournament? Richard Jolly has gazed into his crystal ball...

Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager, and speculation has already begun about who will take on his job.

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and current Newcastle manager Eddie Howe have both been linked with the post in the aftermath of Southgate’s announcement.

Now we want to know if you think it was the right time for Southgate to step down. Who can lead England’s men to victory in the 2026 World Cup?

Join the conversation with other Independent readers below.

In all, Gareth Southgate took charge of 102 matches as England manager, winning 61, drawing 24 and losing 17. At major tournaments (the World Cup and Euros), Southgate‘s side won 14, drawn seven and lost five of 26 games for a 53.8 per cent win rate, scoring 44 goals and conceding 20.

England averaged 2.1 goals per game during his eight-year stint, while Southgate utilised 99 players. 66 debuts were handed out, with Harry Kane earning 81 caps as the manager’s most-used player.

Gareth Southgate suffered European Championship final heartache again with a 2-1 defeat against Spain in Berlin and announced his decision to step down as manager on Tuesday.

England came up agonisingly short at the last hurdle for the second tournament running as Mikel Oyarzabal fired a late winner after Cole Palmer had cancelled out Nico Williams’ opener.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the highs and lows of Southgate’s reign.

Gareth Southgate has decided his future. It was described as 50-50 before the Euro 2024 final, with the run to the Euro 2024 final Berlin tempting him to stay. But after losing to Spain, the mood was naturally much gloomier.

“Gareth, I want to thank you - not as the President of the FA, but as an England fan,” the Prince of Wales says on X. “Thank you for creating a team that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest in 2024.

“Thank you for showing humility, compassion, and true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny. And thank you for being an all-round class act. You should be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved. W.”

Jurgen Klopp has been tipped by Gary Lineker to succeed Gareth Southgate with the England manager departing after the crushing Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

The former Liverpool manager is currently out of work after walking away from Anfield to take a break from management.

The German was approached by the United States ahead of a World Cup on home soil in 2026, with Gregg Berhalter dismissed after a group stage exit from the Copa America, but quickly rebuffed the opportunity for talks.

The Football Association (FA) has begun the process of replacing Gareth Southgate after the England manager stepped down on Tuesday, and the organisation has said “an interim solution” is “in place if it is needed”.

Southgate announced on Tuesday (16 July) that he would not be continuing as England manager, following eight years in charge and a loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.

The former Three Lions player became the only coach to lead the men’s team to two finals, and the only one to guide an England team to a final on foreign soil. However, England lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy in London and the 2024 final to Spain in Berlin.