Former England manager Southgate: No regrets, just pride

Former England manager Gareth Southgate has defended his decisions during his eight-year tenure, insisting that he has no regrets about his time in charge.

Southgate stepped down following the Three Lions’ defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. 

Despite leading the nation to back-to-back European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final, his tenure was often marked by criticism, particularly regarding his perceived defensive tactics.

In an interview with Sky Sports, the former Middlesbrough boss emphasised that the timing of his departure was appropriate. 

"I think it was probably the right time for change," he stated. "We made decisions based on the information available at the time, aiming to create a winning team. We raised expectations, which was crucial for putting English football back on the map."

The former manager's comments came amid ongoing discussions about his decisions, particularly those involving players like Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who have excelled under interim head coach Lee Carsley. 

Despite pundits criticising his approach, the 54-year-old Southgate remained resolute in his stance, insisting he has put everything behind him. 

"I've distanced myself from everything since leaving," he explained. "There's no point in me talking about the team now. It's time for others to take over and lead the team forward. I don't want to get involved in any of that."

While Southgate has been linked to potential managerial roles, including Manchester United, the former England boss revealed that he is not rushing into any decisions about his future. 

The Three Lions have won consecutive games since under the interim tenure of Carsley, with Harry Kane notching a brace in a 2-0 victory over Finland at Wembley in his 100th appearance for the one-time world champions.