Few football managers have left a role as respected as Gareth Southgate did when he stepped down as England manager in July 2024. Two days after a heartbreaking Euro final loss to Spain, he chose to walk away, saying the team needed a new direction. This article traces his decade-long journey from penalty‑miss villain to the manager who restored England’s pride, and examines what comes next — for him and for the Three Lions under Thomas Tuchel.
Age: 55 (born 3 September 1970) ·
England Manager Tenure: November 2016 – July 2024 ·
Major Tournaments: 4 (2018, 2020, 2022, 2024) ·
England Record (W-D-L): 67-23-12 (102 matches)
Quick snapshot
- Resigned as England manager on 16 July 2024 (BBC Sport (UK sports broadcaster))
- Managed England for 102 matches over eight years (BBC Sport)
- Married to Alison Southgate since 1997 (Wikipedia (community‑edited encyclopedia))
- Thomas Tuchel appointed as his successor on 16 October 2024 (The Guardian (UK news outlet))
- Exact net worth (estimates range from £10–20 million) (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Future coaching plans – no current managerial role (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Exact current residence (reported to be in North Yorkshire) (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Whether Southgate had decided to resign before the Euro 2024 final (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Exact amount of his England salary (reported around £5 million per year) (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Euro 2024 final loss → resignation (2 days later)
- Lee Carsley interim → Tuchel appointed (Oct 2024)
- Tuchel starts 1 January 2025
- No immediate return to management
- Speculation about club roles or TV punditry
- Active in charity work through the Southgate Foundation
Here is a quick reference of key facts about Gareth Southgate.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gareth Southgate |
| Birth date | 3 September 1970 |
| Birthplace | Watford, England |
| Position as player | Centre-back / midfielder |
| Spouse | Alison Southgate |
| Children | 2 |
| Coaching career | Middlesbrough (2006–2009), England U21 (2013–2016), England senior (2016–2024) |
| Notable achievements | Two European Championship finals, World Cup semi‑final |
Why did Gareth Southgate step down?
When did Southgate announce his resignation?
Gareth Southgate resigned as England manager on 16 July 2024, just two days after England lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain 2–1 in Berlin (BBC Sport). The announcement came as a surprise to many, though ESPN (sports news outlet) reported that Southgate had reportedly decided to step down before the final defeat.
What reasons did he give?
In his resignation statement, Southgate said: “It’s time for a new chapter and for the team to have a new leader” (ESPN). He added that it was time for change on all sides. The Football Association said it aimed to appoint a successor as soon as possible, and later confirmed that The Guardian reported that Thomas Tuchel was named on 16 October 2024.
Southgate’s England became the most consistent tournament side in decades — yet he leaves without a trophy. For a nation that measures success only by silverware, that record is both a triumph and a frustration.
The implication: Southgate’s exit forces the FA to bet on a foreign coach with a short-term mandate, a risky pivot from the stability he built.
Does Gareth Southgate have children?
How many children does Southgate have?
Gareth Southgate and his wife Alison have two children: a son and a daughter. Their names are not widely publicised, reflecting the family’s preference for privacy (Wikipedia).
Who is his wife?
Southgate married Alison Bird in July 1997. The couple met before his football career took off and have been together ever since. Alison is a former teacher and has been a quiet support throughout his playing and managerial career (Wikipedia).
Which teams has Gareth Southgate coached?
What was his tenure at Middlesbrough?
Southgate began his coaching career at Middlesbrough, where he managed from 2006 to 2009. He took over after his playing days at the club but was unable to prevent relegation from the Premier League in 2009. He was sacked after the club’s relegation.
How did he perform with England U21?
From 2013 to 2016, Southgate managed the England under‑21 team, leading them to the Toulon Tournament victory in 2016. His work with younger players caught the FA’s attention and made him a natural successor to Sam Allardyce.
What is his senior England record?
Southgate’s senior England record stands at 67 wins, 23 draws, and 12 losses in 102 matches (BBC Sport). He guided England to the 2018 World Cup semi‑final, the 2020 Euro final (lost on penalties to Italy), the 2022 World Cup quarter‑final, and the 2024 Euro final (lost to Spain). AP News (international news agency) described his tenure as one of the most successful modern spells for an England manager.
The pattern: Southgate’s record is statistically the best of any post‑Ramsey England manager, yet the missing trophy means his legacy remains contested.
What did Thomas Tuchel say about Southgate?
How did Tuchel praise Southgate?
When appointed as England manager, Thomas Tuchel called Southgate “an incredible manager” and said he “did an incredible job and built a strong foundation” (The Guardian). Tuchel also expressed admiration for Southgate’s work with the squad and the culture he established.
What did Tuchel say about the England job?
Tuchel acknowledged the weight of the role, saying he would give everything to win the World Cup. He becomes the third non‑British permanent England manager, after Sven‑Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello (BBC Sport).
Tuchel’s 18‑month contract is unusually short for an international job. The FA is betting on a quick World Cup win — but if results dip, the pressure will be immense. For Southgate, the contrast is instructive: he had the luxury of time to build; Tuchel does not.
The catch: Tuchel inherits a squad that expects to win now, but with a contract that allows little margin for error — a very different dynamic from Southgate’s long‑term project.
Who is the greatest England football manager of all time?
Six managers, one clear pattern: the only one to win a major tournament is Sir Alf Ramsey. Here’s how the contenders stack up.
| Manager | Tenure | Major tournaments | Best result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Alf Ramsey | 1963–1974 | 2 | 1966 World Cup winner |
| Bobby Robson | 1982–1990 | 3 | 1990 World Cup semi‑final |
| Terry Venables | 1994–1996 | 1 | Euro 96 semi‑final |
| Glenn Hoddle | 1996–1999 | 1 | 1998 World Cup round of 16 |
| Fabio Capello | 2007–2012 | 2 | 2010 World Cup round of 16 |
| Gareth Southgate | 2016–2024 | 4 | Two Euro finals, World Cup semi‑final |
The implication: Ramsey’s trophy puts him in a class of his own. But no other manager has reached the final of a major tournament since 1966 — until Southgate did it twice. For modern England fans, the debate is about consistency vs. glory. Southgate’s record is statistically the best of any post‑Ramsey manager, but the missing trophy means the “greatest” title remains contested.
How does Southgate rank among England managers?
By reach of tournament, Southgate is second only to Ramsey. His 67‑win record in 102 matches gives him the highest win percentage of any permanent England manager (65.7%). AP News noted that his tenure “restored English pride” after decades of disappointment.
What are Sir Alf Ramsey’s achievements?
Ramsey led England to their only World Cup triumph in 1966, a feat that remains the pinnacle of English football. He also reached the quarter‑finals in 1970 and the Euro 1968 semi‑finals.
What about Bobby Robson and Terry Venables?
Robson took England to the 1990 World Cup semi‑final, losing on penalties to West Germany. Venables guided England to the Euro 96 semi‑final, also on penalties. Both are revered for their tactical acumen and man‑management, but neither reached a final.
What this means: the debate over Southgate’s place in history will continue, but his record of reaching finals is unmatched among modern England managers.
Timeline: Gareth Southgate’s career
- 3 September 1970 – Born in Watford, England (Wikipedia)
- 1996 – Misses crucial penalty for England at Euro 96 (Wikipedia)
- November 2016 – Appointed England manager (BBC Sport)
- July 2018 – Leads England to World Cup semi‑final (BBC Sport)
- July 2021 – England reach Euro 2020 final, lose on penalties (BBC Sport)
- December 2022 – England eliminated in World Cup quarter‑final (BBC Sport)
- 14 July 2024 – England lose Euro 2024 final to Spain (BBC Sport)
- 16 July 2024 – Gareth Southgate resigns as England manager (BBC Sport)
- 16 October 2024 – Thomas Tuchel appointed as England manager (The Guardian)
- 1 January 2025 – Tuchel officially begins role (BBC Sport)
The pattern: Southgate’s career timeline shows a clear arc from player disappointment to managerial redemption, culminating in two European finals.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Southgate resigned on 16 July 2024 (BBC Sport)
- Thomas Tuchel is the new England manager (The Guardian)
- Southgate is married with two children (Wikipedia)
- His age is 55 (as of 2025) (Wikipedia)
- England record: 67 wins in 102 matches (BBC Sport)
- Lee Carsley took interim charge after Southgate’s resignation (ESPN)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates range from £10–20 million)
- Future coaching plans – no current managerial role
- Exact location of current residence
- Whether Southgate will return to management in the near future
- Whether Southgate had decided to resign before the Euro 2024 final (ESPN)
- Exact amount of his England salary (reported around £5 million per year)
Quotes on Southgate’s legacy
“He did an incredible job and built a strong foundation.”
— Thomas Tuchel, on Southgate’s legacy (The Guardian)
“It’s time for a new chapter and for the team to have a new leader.”
— Gareth Southgate, resignation statement (ESPN)
“Southgate restored English pride after decades of disappointment.”
— AP News assessment (AP News)
The pattern: All three quotes reinforce the same narrative — Southgate is respected for rebuilding England’s culture despite falling short of the ultimate prize.
Summary: What Southgate’s exit means for English football
Southgate leaves behind a team that expects to reach finals, not just qualify for them. For the FA, the handover to Tuchel represents a high‑stakes gamble: an elite club coach with a short contract and a mandate to win now. For Southgate, the door is open for a return to club management or a different role entirely. For England fans, the choice is clear: either embrace the Tuchel experiment and hope for a World Cup, or risk another cycle of instability. Southgate’s era may be over, but the standard he set — reaching the business end of tournaments — is the new baseline.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gareth Southgate’s net worth?
Estimates range from £10 million to £20 million, though exact figures are not publicly confirmed. His England salary was reported to be around £5 million per year.
How tall is Gareth Southgate?
Southgate is 6 feet (183 cm) tall.
Where does Gareth Southgate live?
He is believed to live in North Yorkshire, near Harrogate, but the exact address is not publicly known.
What happened in the Sam Allardyce scandal?
Sam Allardyce resigned as England manager in 2016 after a newspaper sting where he was recorded discussing how to bypass FA rules on player transfers. The scandal paved the way for Southgate’s appointment. Sam Allardyce: Manager, Controversy, Net Worth, and Current Life covers the full story.
What is Gareth Southgate’s age?
He was born on 3 September 1970, making him 55 years old as of 2025.
Who is Gareth Southgate’s wife?
He is married to Alison Southgate (née Bird), a former teacher. They married in July 1997 and have two children.
What is Gareth Southgate’s current job after resigning?
As of early 2025, Southgate has not taken a new managerial role. He has been linked with various club positions and potential TV punditry work, but no announcement has been made.
Will Gareth Southgate return to management?
It is widely expected that he will return to football management at some point, though no timeline has been confirmed. His reputation remains high, and several clubs would likely be interested.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.