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Gareth Southgate leaves England with a managerial record of played 102, won 61, drawn 24, lost 17 - a 59.8% win rate

Gareth Southgate departs as England manager following their Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain, boasting the best record since Sir Alf Ramsey, the 1966 World Cup-winning coach. Southgate's tenure, marked by grace under the unique pressures of the role, warrants immense respect.

Under Southgate, England consistently reached the latter stages of major tournaments, a stark contrast to the disappointing exits under previous managers Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson. The brief and controversial one-match reign of Sam Allardyce was a mere blip in the Football Association's history.

Southgate leaves with his head held high, having restored England's status as a formidable force on the global stage. Yet, the harsh reality remains that, despite the talent at his disposal and opportunities in four major tournaments, he couldn't secure a victory in the end.

It might seem harsh to label Southgate as an almost-successful manager leading an almost-successful team, but his consistent near-misses invite such criticism. Legacies in football often hinge on the finest of margins.

Had England triumphed over Spain in Berlin to win their first major men's trophy in 58 years, Southgate's transformation from a criticized figure—who faced hostility and flying beer cups in Cologne after a lackluster draw against Slovenia in the group stage—into a national hero and sporting icon would have been complete.

Instead, Southgate's record of near-misses leaves England and the Football Association still searching for the managerial winner they have longed for since 1966.