Gareth Southgate resigns as England manager, citing divisive fan base
Gareth Southgate has revealed he quit his role as England manager because he had become ‘divisive’ and was ‘polarising the fan base’, with the 55-year-old opening up on his tenure in a new interview, reports BritPanorama.
The former Three Lions star was appointed in 2016 after Sam Allardyce was sacked due to a scandal. During his time in charge, Southgate guided the team to two European Championship finals and a semi-final appearance in the 2018 World Cup.
However, after England missed out on Euro 2024 glory last summer, Southgate chose to step away from the position. Since his departure, he has maintained a low profile, refraining from discussing the details of his reign.
In a recent conversation on The Sports Agents podcast, Southgate expressed that the fans had turned against him, stating, “I felt my presence has become divisive… You couldn’t deny that I was polarising the fan base.” He further reflected, “From a personal perspective, there was less joy in the wins, you know? And then you’ve got to think well, actually, ‘Why am I doing this?’”
Additionally, Southgate commented on the situation of Ben White, who left the England squad during the 2022 World Cup amid controversy. While he did not elaborate on the specifics, he emphasized the importance of supporting players, acknowledging they have lives outside of football.
Looking ahead, Southgate expressed confidence in Jude Bellingham, highlighting his capacity to perform on significant stages. England’s next matches will see the team face Serbia on November 13 and Albania on November 16, as they continue preparations for future competitions.
In many ways, Southgate’s reign epitomized the highs and lows of international football management — a reminder of how fleeting alliances can be, even among fans who once rallied behind a shared vision.
