Gareth Southgate has the best record of any England coach when it comes to winning matches at major tournaments and going deep into them. He is comfortably the best manager the country has had aside from World Cup-winning Sir Alf Ramsey, taking the Three Lions to two European Championship finals, plus a World Cup semi and a quarter-final.
And yet he has the same number of major trophies as all of his predecessors with the exception of Ramsey: precisely none. It is that failure to get over the line that has likely led to Southgate announcing his resignation from the England manager's job on Tuesday following their painful but resounding defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
Southgate's role in changing the culture of the national team and his unifying influence should not be forgotten, but his credit was in danger of running out the longer he remained in charge. He was very aware of this after being the subject of ridicule during the tournament and having cups thrown at him by his own fans.
The Football Association were believed to be in favour of Southgate staying, but the coach's own humility has lead to a parting of the ways. He does, however, leave the team in very good hands for whoever takes the baton from him.
GOAL outlines the top candidates who could succeed Southgate and make England dream again...