Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier has reacted to the news that Gareth Southgate is stepping down as England manager.
In the aftermath of England losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain, it has been announced that the FA will be looking for a replacement for Gareth Southgate.
His contract was due to expire in December, and defeat in the Euros final has led to the end of his tenure.
Now the FA are looking for a new manager, with Eddie Howe a contender to be the next England boss.
That would be a blow for Newcastle United, who will hope that Howe resists any offer that comes his way in favour of continuing his career with the Magpies.
Kieran Trippier’s message of thanks to Gareth Southgate
While Toon fans wait to discover what will happen with Howe, Southgate will be pondering his next career move.
He has been the England manager for eight years. In that time, he got the Three Lions to two major finals and a semi final. He created a culture that made England a team you wanted to root for, but it ultimately did not lead to silverware.
While Euro 2024 was massively disappointing, Southgate deserves a lot of credit for what he did as England manager.
And Kieran Trippier has been quick to give him that credit, taking to Instagram to deliver a message of thanks to the 53-year-old.
Trippier wrote: “Want to say thank you to Gareth for everything. A top coach who I know will be successful where ever his next role may be. Thank you.”
Newcastle defender owes his international career to Southgate
Trippier has played 54 times for England, and he won every single one of those caps under the management of Southgate.
He handed Trippier his England debut in June 2017, and the right-back went on to play at four major tournaments under Southgate.
Trippier has been in an England shirt for all of the highs and lows of the Southgate era, and has played a key role. He scored in the World Cup semi final in Russia, while he got the assist when the Three Lions went ahead in the Euros final against Italy.
The Newcastle United defender developed into one of Southgate’s most trusted players, and that was epitomised this summer as he tasked him with playing at left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw. It was a questionable decision, but one that summed up how highly Southgate rates Trippier.
He has paid tribute to Southgate following news of his departure as England boss, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Trippier at international.
At 33-years-old, it would be a surprise if whoever the FA appoints as manager continues to pick Trippier. He will be 35 by the time the 2026 World Cup arrives, which means this could also be the end of Trippier’s time with England.
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