Gareth Southgate: Stay or go after England's Euro 2024 final heartbreak?

Gareth Southgate's England once again fell at the final hurdle at Euro 2024, losing a second consecutive final in the tournament.

The Three Lions were thoroughly outplayed in the final but still only lost by one goal, an 86th-minute one scored by Mikel Oyarzabal which sealed the victory for a deserving Spain team.

After yet another heartbreaking loss and some rather so-so performances during Euro 2024, many fans and pundits alike are questioning whether or not Southgate is still the right man to lead England forward.

It's a question we at 90min have been wrestling with, too. Here's what our writers and editors had to say on the matter and whether or not Southgate should stay or go after Euro 2024.

Jude Summerfield

Answer: Go

Gareth Southgate has done great things for the England men's team and the waistcoat and there are few past managers who could claim to have orchestrated better results when it mattered most.

However, like Tony Hayers once told Alan Partridge when opting against a second series, it's about evolution, not revolution.

England relied on vibes and moments over tactical cohesion at Euro 2024 and, as long as that pattern continues with the same gaffer in charge, they will continue to come up short against elite opposition. He may have just rejected the USMNT, but maybe Jurgen Klopp could be tempted into the role in a few years.

Sean Walsh

Answer: Go

I think now is the right time for Gareth Southgate to go.

He hasn't failed - quite the opposite, making England the genuine contenders they ought to have been in generations past - but there is now a need for fresh tactical ideas.

We shouldn't dismiss the club-like feel he's brought to the England camp though, and it's important his successor understands that. Which is why I want Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager.

Jamie Spencer

Answer: Stay

Southgate has done more than any manager of a senior England men's team since Alf Ramsey, and clearly knows how to grind out results and make a team resilient, which has famously lacked in previous generations.

He's known to be a very intelligent guy and a deep thinker, so he won't view the Euros as perfect in terms of performance and will see the room for improvement.

This was also a very different squad to ones he's picked before, even through qualifying, so it makes sense for him to see it through at least to the next World Cup.

Tom Gott

Answer: Go

It's time to move on.

Southgate's done a great job of reuniting this country and making players excited to represent England again, but there's a new task at hand. Not only should this team be reaching major finals, but they should be doing a much better job of actually competing against the world's elite when they get there. It feels like Southgate has reached his ceiling.

The primary concern here is the pool of potential replacements. If you stick with English, you're looking at someone like Graham Potter or Frank Lampard. If you want to get ambitious, could Mauricio Pochettino or Thomas Tuchel be tempted to take the job?

Katie Catherall

Answer: Go

I have always been firmly in Southgate’s corner, and for the job that he has done with England, I still am. 

But, I do think we now need a change if we want to see a different style of football, and that change must start from the top. 

Southgate’s achievements are clear. But his tendency to often play slow, reactive football has limited the heights that England can reach. With a squad as talented as the one we had out in Germany at Euro 2024, we should at least be confidently beating teams, rather than fluking our way to the final. 

Someone like Graham Potter would be an ideal replacement for me. He’s not too dissimilar from Southgate in his ideals, but is much more proactive than our current boss. If we wanted to really have some fun, Jurgen Klopp would be exciting.

Toby Cudworth

Answer: Go

Gareth Southgate has done an incredible job with England, that much is obvious. His record at major tournaments speaks for itself and he's been able to unite an entire country despite being questioned at every turn.

But time waits for nobody in sport, particularly at the highest level. Styles of play have changed, tactics have evolved and the elite are able to complement each other at international level far better than they ever have before.

England, sadly, are trying to cram quality players into a system that just doesn't suit them. They won only two of their six games at Euro 2024 in regulation time because of it, and their conservative approach will get them nowhere when it really, really matters. Trading on past glories can't be a thing, it's time to say thank you and goodbye.

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