Gareth Southgate has admitted he made the decision to step down as England manager long before the Three Lions lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Confirmation of Southgate's departure came just two days later England fell at the last hurdle of Europe's premier competition, with a long search for a replacement eventually leading the Football Association to former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel.
During an appearance on the BBC Desert Island Discs, Southgate admitted he had heard Adele's 'Someone Like You' to help him come to terms with his decision to leave England during Euro 2024.
“I kept playing until the end of the last Euros because I knew I was going to leave,” Southgate said.
“I had decided it was time for a change all round and there are so many words in it that even if I listen to it today it relates to my relationship with England and their relationship with me and how I feel about it all really.
“Like how they have to move on and you wish them the best and there's regret, and there were actually memories to be made. There are so many lines in it that really resonated with me.”
Southgate has been heavily linked with a return to management with a host of Premier League teams including Manchester Unitedbut insisted he is not looking to rush into the job.
“The fact (England) is one of the biggest jobs, I think, has meant that I've wanted to give myself more time to talk to lots of fascinating people who have been in big jobs and find out what they've done after this.” Southgate explained.
“I don't want to betray their trust, but people have been very generous in sharing and talking about those things, and everyone has said, 'Take your time.'
“I've been a player and coach for 37 years and I'm not opposed to the next period of my life being completely different. When you've had one of the biggest jobs, how do you follow that?”