Breaking:Prince William shares emotional message to Gareth Southgate as he quits England job

Prince William, the president of the Football Association, has paid tribute to Gareth Southgate, who sensationally announced he was quitting as England manager – just two days after the Three Lions lost to Spain in Euro 2024 final.

Prince William has sent a highly personal message to Gareth Southgate who has quit as England manager, hailing him as an “all-round class act”.

Southgate announced this morning that he is step down from the England hotseat, just days after his side lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Taking to social media minutes after the news was announced, William said: “Gareth, I want to thank you – not as the President of the @FA, but as an @England fan. Thank you for creating a team that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest in 2024.

“Thank you for showing humility, compassion, and true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny. And thank you for being an all-round class act. You should be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved. W.” The Prince of Wales also shared a sweet photo of himself sharing a joke with Southgate during a previous visit to the England training ground.

Southgate announced he was standing down as England manager, saying it is time for a “new chapter” for the national team. “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 said in a statement.

“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.” Southgate took charge in 2016, following the team’s ignominious exit to Iceland in that summer’s Euros and the short-lived reign of Sam Allardyce.

William’s tribute comes after he and Kate also sent an uplifting message to the England team following their defeat on Sunday night. Taking to their social media, both William and Kate praised Gareth Southgate’s men who lost 2-1, saying: “England, your teamwork, grit and determination were an inspiration to all of us, young and old. Congratulations to Spain. W & C.” The message was accompanied by the snap taken by Kate of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in their England shirts bearing their names and ages watching Sunday night’s game.

King Charles also sent a message of support to the England squad following a bitterly disappointing loss at the Euro 2024 final. His Majesty shared on Sunday evening: “Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high.

All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near – and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain. But please know that your success in reaching the European Championship final is a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation which will continue to roar for the Three Lions today – and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead.”

Following Tuesday’s announcement, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham paid also tribute to Southgate’s achievements in leading England to successive European Championship finals, as well as to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in his first tournament at the helm.

Mr Bullingham indicated the process to find Southgate’s successor “is now underway” and said the FA had an “interim solution in place if needed”, with the team’s next matches coming in the Nations League in September. Southgate himself backed his players to go on and “win the trophy we all dream of” in the future.

“I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football and understand the power football has to drive positive change,” he said. “My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant ‘team behind the team’.