Prince of Wales praises outgoing manager for his ‘humility, compassion, and true leadership’
The Prince of Wales has praised Gareth Southgate for being an “all-round class act” and showing “humility, compassion, and true leadership” after he stepped down as manager of England following the team’s defeat in the Euro 2024 final.
The prime minister, Keir Starmer, also paid tribute to Southgate, hailing him as a “mentor to our brilliant young talent” who had laid “the foundations for future success”.
Prince William, president of the Football Association (FA), thanked Southgate as an “England fan” and commended him for coping with the “most intense pressure and scrutiny”.
He had created, the prince said, a “team that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest”.
Gareth, I want to thank you - not as the President of the @FA, but as an @England fan.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 16, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/Fq2ytO4em6
Southgate announced his decision to quit in a statement issued by the FA on Tuesday morning, saying it was time for a “new chapter” for the national team.
William, in a message posted on X, said: “Gareth, I want to thank you – not as the President of the FA, but as an England fan.
“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.”
Starmer also thanked Southgate in a message posted on X for “bringing back the hope and belief the country had been crying out for for so long”.
He added that Southgate had “brought a deeper understanding of what the job means and represents”, noting that he had been “a thoughtful spokesperson on events far beyond football”, possibly in reference to Southgate’s reflections on diversity and modern British identity.
I join with everyone today in saying thank you to both Gareth Southgate and his team for all they have achieved and for laying the foundations for future success. pic.twitter.com/H2sEW6i5NA
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 16, 2024
Southgate’s announcement came two days after the Three Lions lost 2-1 to Spain in the final on Sunday night.
The prince travelled to Berlin with his son Prince George to cheer on the squad.
Southgate said: “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.
“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.”
Southgate, who took on the role in 2016, backed his players to go on and “win the trophy we all dream of” in the future.
“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 added.
The BBC pundit and former England striker Gary Lineker said the outgoing England manager should be remembered for his “humility, decency and dignity”, despite his performance falling just short of “footballing immortality”.
Lineker, who was critical of Southgate and England’s performances during the tournament, wrote on X: “Wishing Gareth Southgate all the very best in the future. He brought pride, respect and a togetherness to England that we hadn’t seen for a long time.”
Wishing Gareth Southgate all the very best in the future. 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,…
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 16, 2024
The former England defender and teammate of Southgate Gary Neville said he was not surprised at the decision.
He told Sky Sports News: “I think there were hints through the tournament when he was speaking that he thought it might be the time.
“I am not sure it is based on Sunday’s result, it was just a feeling after that game. He has had an amazing eight years and exceeded all expectations of every single England fan. He deserves to call it a day on his own terms and he has done that.”
Neville added that Southgate had achieved “incredible things off the pitch”. He said: “How difficult it is to manage the politics of England, the media, the club-versus-country rivalries which existed? He has removed a lot of those barriers.”
The England striker Jude Bellingham told BBC News he had “nothing but respect” for Southgate, who gave him his debut on the team. He added that he felt their relationship had evolved beyond football, and he felt he could “open up” to his manager. “That speaks volumes about the kind of man he is,” he said.
The England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also praised Southgate, writing on Instagram: “I also want to say a special thank you to the boss for always believing in me during his time with us and I would like to wish him all the best in his next steps. Thank you Gareth.”
Stars including the One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson and YouTuber Josh Zerker paid tribute.
Tomlinson wrote on X: “Thank you Gareth Southgate for the incredible memories you’ve given us all over the last 8 years!”
Zerker, from YouTube group Sidemen, shared selfies from England matches and wrote: “Thank you for the memories Southgate!”
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