Gareth Southgate departs as England manager

It's the end of an era as England manager Gareth Southgate announced he was stepping down as manager.

The now former England manager wrote a letter announcing his departure which the FA then shared on their social media.

" As a proud Englishman, it has been the honor of my life to play for England and to manage England," Southgate wrote. "It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.

"But it's time for a change, and for a new chapter. Sunday's final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager."

There were some whispers heading into EURO 2024 that this could be it for Southgate at the helm regardless of how well England did.

England managed to get to the final, though not without criticism, and were beaten 2-1 by Spain.

Southgate's departure means England now have a tough task in finding a replacement for the most successful England coaches in recent history despite not lifting any silverware.

Southgate took over the manager role back in 2016, replacing Sam Allardyce after he was sacked. During his tenure, he guided England to the semifinals in the 2018 World Cup, a final in EURO 2020, quarterfinals in the 2022 World Cup and their first final in foreign soil in EURO 2024.

While England became the first nation to lose back-to-back EURO finals, it should not diminish what Southgate was able to accomplish both on and off the pitch.

After years of the England dressing room being divided due to club affiliations, Southgate was able to get the newer generation to gel and actually enjoy going on international duty with England. Being able to man manage is an important skill for any coach and no one can argue Southgate hasn't succeeded in that role.

England were perennial underachievers and despite not winning anything under Southgate, he was able to instill that belief and it's one of the reasons they have been able to go deep in recent tournaments. Any national team would give anything to have the run England have gone on under Southgate.

As mentioned, the FA now have the unenviable taks of finding a suitable replacement. If there was any criticism towards Southgate is despite the talent at his disposal, England had problems translating all that individual talent onto the field as a unit. At least it was that way in EURO 2024.

"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," Southgate added. "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."