SOUTHGATE QUITS AFTER EUROS FINAL HEARTACHE

HOWE AND POTTER HEAD THE FA’S SHORTLIST TO TAKE ENGLAND JOB

- Dan Kilpatrick

GARETH SOUTHGATE this morning stepped down as England manager in the wake of a second consecutive European Championship Final defeat.

Southgate, 53, had refused to be drawn on his future immediately after Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Spain in Berlin but has since discussed the situation with his family and held talks with the FA, and decided to call time on nearly eight years in the job.

“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England,” Southgate wrote in a statement. “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.”