Gareth Southgate should resign, poll result finds

England team depart the World Cup

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England manager Gareth Southgate is reportedly considering quitting his job following his team’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat to France on Saturday which knocked them out of the World Cup. A new Express.co.uk poll has found that over half of readers think he should resign with many arguing that “a change is needed” for the benefit of the team.

Mr Southgate’s contract runs until December 2024, but following England’s exit in Qatar Mr Southgate said he would take time to consider his future. He also referenced criticism he received in the past 18 months ago since his team’s 4-0 defeat by Hungary at Molineux in the Nations League.

He said: “Look, I’ve found large parts of the last 18 months difficult. For everything that I’ve loved about the last few weeks, I still have how things have been for 18 months.

“What’s been said and what’s been written, the night at Wolves, there’s lots of things in my head that’s really conflicted at the moment, so what I want to make sure, if it’s the right thing to say, is that I’ve definitely got the energy to do that.

“I don’t want to be four or five months down the line thinking I’ve made the wrong call. It’s too important for everybody to get that wrong. After every tournament, I’ve sat with everybody at the FA and talked things through logically and I think that’s the right process to go through again.”

In a poll that ran from 9am on Monday, December 12, to 1pm on Tuesday, December 13, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should Gareth Southgate quit as England manager?”

In total, 1,907 votes were cast with some 51 percent (970 people) answering “yes” he should resign compared to 48 percent (914 people) who said “no” he should not.

A further one percent (23 people) said they did not know either way.

Dozens of comments were left below the accompanying article as readers shared their thoughts on Mr Southgate’s future.

Many readers argued that Mr Southgate should resign, with username My Giddy Aunt commenting: “I think a change is needed.”

Username jacaranda said: “We keep being told we have a fantastic bunch of skilful players but somehow we can’t get past the quarter-finals. Something is not right so the manager must carry the can.”

Username dangerousdave wrote: “Southgate was quite happy playing his regular team while some of the best players sat on the bench until the fans kicked off and changes were made. Time to go Southgate.”

And username Lesouth added: “He must go now.”

Some readers agreed that a change was needed. Username pensioner said: “With the talent England have at their disposal we could really do with a top manager and coach, don’t think we have that at the moment so for me it’s time to go Southgate and give the new management time before the Euros.”

Likewise, username NWO3 said: “Yes, for his own and England’s good. He can’t do more than he has done.”

Username Billpaf wrote: “He should have been replaced years ago.”

And username Loftboy added: “He shouldn’t get the choice to resign, sack him.”

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However, others commented that Mr Southgate should remain in his position, with username rabey writing: “Gareth is an excellent Manager.”

Username Paula_Boo said: “No, he should not resign. The England Team have come on leaps and bounds since he took over. The younger players will continue to be very strong good players. Southgate should stay.”

Username yorkshirelad replied: “Absolutely, his squad, outplayed the French in every department.”

And username Ricky1954 remarked: “Gareth should stay and see out his contract. Whatever anyone else says, the team love him. He has done far better than many before him.”

The Football Association (FA) reportedly wants Mr Southgate to see out his contract and take the Three Lions to the 2024 Euros in Germany but should he resign they have not ruled out appointing an overseas manager as his successor.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has expressed interest while former Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is also keen on the role. Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has similarly been tipped to take over.

However, pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher argues that any successor should be English. He tweeted: “The England manager should always be English!”

Home-grown candidates include Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, Chelsea head coach Graham Potter, Everton manager Frank Lampard and Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard. But there are doubts over whether they would be prepared to leave club football.

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