ENGLAND’S website crashed after Gareth Southgate announced his departure on Tuesday.
The Three Lions icon has walked away from his beloved job just two days after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
Southgate had hinted before the tournament that he was likely to leave.
And his exit was confirmed this morning with a statement on the English FA’s website.
However, the national team site was unable to handle the amount of people who wanted to read Southgate’s last words.
And just minutes after it was released, the website page crashed.
England are now on the hunt for a new manager.
The FA are likely to have as many as EIGHT top names on their shortlist.
And SunSport can exclusively reveal that former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is keen on taking charge.
Whoever gets the job will be tasked with going one better that Southgate, who lost two Euro finals while reaching the World Cup semis.
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The former England player landed the top job in 2018 after three years in charge of the U21s.
Southgate was drafted in following Sam Allardyce’s disastrous one-game reign.
“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.
“I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.
“I could not have had anyone better alongside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation, and has been immense.
“I have had the privilege of leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.
“The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of.
“I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St. George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football, and understand the power football has to drive positive change.”
He continues: “My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant ‘team behind the team’.
“We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be.
“I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.
“Thank you, England – for everything.”
And he became a national icon when he led England to the last four at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Southgate became a cultural phenomenon with his waistcoat on the touchline.
But he was unable to prevent England from crashing to a semi-final defeat against Croatia.
Three years later Southgate led his nation to a Euro final against Italy at Wembley.
However, the Three Lions blew another lead before eventually losing on penalties.
The 2022 World Cup saw England go out in the quarters to France, with captain Harry Kane missing a crucial penalty.
And on Sunday it felt like history was repeating itself as Southgate’s men conceded an 86th minute winner, allowing Spain to pick up another international trophy.
GARETH SOUTHGATE created a team in his own cool, calm, collected image, developed a fantastic team spirit with his players, and has performed better in major international tournaments than any manager of our national side other than World Cup-winning Sir Alf Ramsey.
But when the final whistle blew in Berlin’s Olympiastadion stadium, it felt like the right moment to say goodbye to Gareth.
I was there, with two of my sons, to watch England come up short, again, against Spain.
And none of us was enraged.
Disappointed, yes.
Angry, no.
Truthfully, for all our bullish ‘It’s Coming Home!’ social media posts, we knew in our hearts it probably wasn’t.
Why?
Because for all his ‘safe-pair-of-hands’ positives, the problem with Gareth, ironically, is that he’s just too safe.
This very talented squad of players should have been ordered to play with far more attacking flair through this tournament, as Spain did.
Put someone like Jurgen Klopp or Alex Ferguson in charge of these guys, managers with a love of rampaging flamboyance and with in-built desire to entertain, and we’d have won it just as we’d have won the last Euros too.
Read more from Piers Morgan here.
