Entertainment world reacts to England manager Gareth Southgate stepping down

Figures in the entertainment world – such as Louis Tomlinson, Gary Lineker and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – have been reacting to the news that Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager.

It comes just two days after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. Southgate had been the Three Lions boss for eight years and exits the role after a fourth major tournament in charge.

“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all,” he wrote in a statement, which you can view below.

“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.

“I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.”

He concluded: “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.”

Several high profile figures in the entertainment world have shared their reactions to the news on social media.

Louis Tomlinson, who brought a huge screen to Glastonbury so that fans could watch England’s recent Euros match against Slovakia, said in response to the announcement: “Thank you Gareth Southgate for the incredible memories you’ve given us all over the last 8 years!”

Thank you Gareth Southgate for the incredible memories you’ve given us all over the last 8 years!

— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) July 16, 2024

Prime Minister Keir Starmer also shared a lengthy statement and said: “I join everyone today in saying thank you to both Gareth Southgate and his team for all they have achieved and laying the foundations for future success.”

I join with everyone today in saying thank you to both Gareth Southgate and his team for all they have achieved and for laying the foundations for future success. pic.twitter.com/H2sEW6i5NA

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 16, 2024

Former England striker Gary Lineker also wished Southgate the “very best in the future” and added: “He was close, very close to footballing immortality and he always did the job with humility, decency and dignity.”

Wishing Gareth Southgate all the very best in the future. He brought pride, respect and a togetherness to @England that we hadn’t seen for a long time. He was close, very close to footballing immmortality and he always did the job with humility, decency and dignity. Thank you,…

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 16, 2024

Former Communards musician Richard Coles felt it was the right time for Southgate to stand down.

He wrote: “Sometimes tough decisions make themselves. I think he’s been an inspirational figure and lasting credit will be rightly his, but the men’s team needs something different now. Best wishes and grateful thanks to #GarethSouthgate.”

Sometimes tough decisions make themselves. I think he’s been an inspirational figure and lasting credit will be rightly his, but the men’s team needs something different now. Best wishes and grateful thanks to #GarethSouthgate. pic.twitter.com/HyFuKuFVHF

— Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) July 16, 2024

You can see further tributes below:

Players and pundits have taken to social media to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/NX6YDBo4nB

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 16, 2024

Thank you Gareth you did a great Job

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) July 16, 2024

It’s been a great ride for all involved over the last eight years. Two finals, semi final & a quarter final in Gareth Southgate’s four tournaments is a very tough act to follow! https://t.co/TKnWGZUfkt

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 16, 2024

Morning its with mixed emotions as an England fan 102 games and almost 8 years in charge, Gareth Southgate has announced he is to leave his role as manager of the #ThreeLions. For me I am thankful of Gareth Southgate he bought the country together gave us for a few days a… pic.twitter.com/dlZE1GOfbS

— Frank Bruno MBE (@frankbrunoboxer) July 16, 2024

Following England’s defeat to Spain on Sunday (July 14) Creeper mourned England’s Euros loss with a cover of The Killers‘ ‘Mr Brightside’ at their Portsmouth gig.

Last week, The Killers went viral after they paused their show to watch England beat the Netherlands in a 2-1 victory. The moment took place on July 11, during their six-night residency at The O2 as part of their ongoing ‘Rebel Diamonds’ tour.

Ten songs into their performance, the band paused the concert to watch the clashing Euros semi-finals with their London audience. After England secured the victory, red and white streamers were fired, and the band dove right into ‘Mr. Brightside’ to celebrate.

In a nod to the Las Vegas band’s now-viral moment, Creeper surprised fans at their Portsmouth show with a subdued cover of the two-time Guinness World Records’ award-winning hit, following England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain.

Speaking to NME backstage at Mad Cool 2024 in Madrid, Brandon Flowers and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. explained where the inspiration to show the game live came from. “I have a son who is 13 now and he is obsessed with what we call soccer and what you call football,” Flowers told us. “So I’ve gotten introduced to this new world, and we were watching all the matches so I was aware of what was going on and that led to this very important match between England and Holland.

“It happened to be going on while we were playing a gig, so we just wanted to do something special for the fans, and it ended up being something that timed out really well. You can’t really make anything happen like that. It was a lot of luck.”

The post Entertainment world reacts to England manager Gareth Southgate stepping down appeared first on NME.

Entertainment world reacts to England manager Gareth Southgate stepping down

Entertainment world reacts to England manager Gareth Southgate stepping down

Entertainment world reacts to England manager Gareth Southgate stepping down

Entertainment world reacts to England manager Gareth Southgate stepping down

Entertainment world reacts to England manager Gareth Southgate stepping down