England, Gareth Southgate takes a step backward
Gareth Southgate leaves the leadership of the England national team
Gareth Southgate no longer è the technical commissioner of the England national soccer team. The news, in the air already a few hours after the defeat in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, è was confirmed on Tuesday, with a long message on the channels of the FA (the English Football Association) signed by the Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham.
"On behalf of all English soccer, I would like to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland (his assistant, ed.) for all their achievements,” Bullingham wrote. Over the past eight years they have transformed the England men’s national team, giving unforgettable memories to all those who love the Three Lions".
"We can look back on Gareth’s tenure with great pride,” added the CEO of the English Federation, “His contribution to English soccer, including in terms of player development and the cultural transformation of the national team, è has been unique. Moreover, his record in major tournaments è extraordinary".
"In the twenty-five post-1966 tournaments before Gareth took over, we had won seven knockout matches. In the four tournaments with him on the bench, we won nine. So, in his eight years, he won more matches that really mattered than in the previous fifty'years".
"We came very close to winning the European Championships in London (England was defeated by Italy at Euro 2020 in the summer of 2021, ed.) and securing the first trophy at the men’s national team level in over fifty years, and we came very close again in Berlin on Sunday. Before Gareth, we had been among the Top 5 in the rankings for seven months. With him, we had been among the top five in the world for six years".
"Gareth made the impossible possible and created the foundation for future success. He is held in the highest regard by the players, the FA and the entire soccer world. We are very proud of all that Gareth and Steve have achieved for England, and we will always be grateful".
"We aim to confirm our new technical commissioner as soon as possible. The Uefa Nations League starts in September and we have studied an interim solution if necessary. We know there will be inevitable speculation, but we will not comment further until the actual appointment of the new coach" concluded Mark Bullingham.
