After the conclusion of Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate made the decision to step down from his role as the manager of the England national team.
This marked the end of an era for the Three Lions, who once again found themselves heartbroken after another defeat in a major tournament final. This time, it was Spain who dashed their hopes, emerging victorious in the Euro 2024 final.
England, having lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, entered the tournament with high hopes of finally securing their first major trophy since their historic World Cup win in 1966. The expectation and pressure were immense, but the dream was cut short once again.
The loss to Spain not only ended England’s campaign but also proved to be the final straw for Southgate, who decided to step away from the job he had held since 2016.
Southgate, who had been linked with a potential return to Premier League management following his departure from the national team, did not immediately step back into club football. Instead, he has taken on a new challenge in the world of football by becoming a UEFA technical observer, as reported by journalist Henry Winter.
This role marks Southgate’s return to the game in a different capacity, one that will see him analyzing matches from a tactical perspective rather than leading a team from the sidelines.
Joining Southgate in this new role is David Moyes, the former manager of Everton, Manchester United, and West Ham United. Moyes, who also stepped down from his position at West Ham, has been appointed alongside Southgate as one of UEFA’s technical observers.
As technical observers, Southgate and Moyes will be tasked with watching football matches with a coach’s eye, providing detailed reports on tactics and strategies employed by teams. This role requires them to utilize video analysis and statistical data to enhance their observations.
They will have access to various camera angles and extensive data, allowing them to thoroughly dissect matches and identify emerging trends in the game. The insights gathered by technical observers are crucial in helping coaches improve their methods and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving sport.
This type of role is not uncommon for former players and managers. UEFA often enlists the expertise of experienced football figures to follow and analyze matches worldwide.
For instance, during the recent Euro 2024 tournament, UEFA appointed several prominent figures, including Fabio Capello, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Avram Grant, Aitor Karanka, and Frank de Boer, as technical observers.
With Southgate stepping down from his England duties and Moyes leaving West Ham, UEFA has now turned to these seasoned professionals to join their ranks of technical observers.
This new chapter in Southgate’s career allows him to remain deeply involved in football, contributing his knowledge and experience to the broader coaching community while stepping away from the intense pressures of leading a national team.
