The manager is set to hold talks with the FA about his future after another agonising final defeat - but who could step into his shoes?

Gareth Southgate has the best record of any England coach when it comes to winning matches at major tournaments and going deep into them. He is comfortably the best manager the country has had aside from World Cup-winning Sir Alf Ramsey, taking the Three Lions to two European Championship finals, plus a World Cup semi and a quarter-final.

And yet he has the same number of major trophies as all of his predecessors with the exception of Ramsey: precisely none. It is that failure to get over the line that the Football Association must consider when they come to discuss Southgate's future in the aftermath of their painful but resounding defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

Southgate's role in changing the culture of the national team and his unifying influence should not be forgotten, but his credit is in danger of running out the longer he remains in charge. And he is very aware of this after being the subject of ridicule during the tournament and having cups thrown at him by his own fans.

Although the FA are believed to favour Southgate staying, the coach's own humility is likely to lead to a parting of the ways. If he does depart, he will leave the team in very good hands for whoever takes the baton from him.

Jurgen Klopp

Klopp has pledged to never manage another English team after departing Liverpool as their most successful coach in the 21st century, but he said nothing about the national team. The FA, of course, would have to swallow their pride to appoint a German, but Klopp has essentially become an honourable Englishman and his limitless passion would be the perfect antidote to Southgate.

While the timing would not be ideal for Klopp as he has vowed to take some time away from the game following nine intense years at Anfield, the pace of international football is much slower than at club level and he be able to enjoy long stretches of downtime.

Eddie Howe

Howe would have strong credentials for the England job due to his tactical flexibility and is probably the highest-rated English coach around after propelling Newcastle to the Champions League in his first full season in charge.

It remains to be seen how safe his position is now that allies Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have left St James' Park. If he ends up following them out of the door, he will stand a strong chance of becoming the next England boss.

Frank Lampard

Lampard was one of the finest England players of his generation, although his managerial record has not been nearly as impressive, having been sacked by Chelsea and Everton, while his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge on an interim basis went terribly.

But given his huge self-confidence and his track record for failing upwards, it wouldn't be the greatest surprise to see Lampard get the job. Gary Lineker has already given him his vote, saying the players would "respect him instantly" while talking up his tactical credentials.

Graham Potter

Potter would feel like a continuation candidate and his cerebral personality would certainly appeal to the FA, although his style of football would be more expansive than Southgate.

The former Chelsea and Brighton boss has not worked since being sacked by the Blues in April 2023 and recently turned down offers from Ajax, Lyon and Leicester City. That suggests he might be waiting for a call from the FA in the coming weeks.

Steven Gerrard

Gerrard remains one of England's best players ever and he would also command the respect of the dressing room. His managerial record has, however, been mixed, to put it kindly.

His Scottish title win with Rangers is his only real achievement while he failed badly at Aston Villa and has finished sixth in the Saudi Pro League. He remains in charge of Al-Ettifaq, but the lure of the England job would surely be too big to resist.

Lee Carlsley

Going from Under-21 coach to the top job is a tried and tested route in international football, and Luis de la Fuente's triumph with Spain is a timely reminder of its merits.

Carlsey has a proven track record after guiding the U21s to European Championship glory last year in Georgia with a squad containing Cole Palmer, Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon. He recently turned down the change to manage Ireland, a sign he could be waiting for a promotion at St George's Park.

Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino is a free agent after leaving Chelsea just as things were starting to look up for his team, and he is keen to get back to work soon. It would be a big call for an Argentine to become English football's figurehead given the tensions between the two nations over the Falklands War, but the coach has gained many admirers on these shores due his work with Southampton and, in particular, Tottenham.

The manager has close working relationships with Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher while players love to play for him. He could really get the best out of this generation.

Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel has worked at some of the most demanding clubs in European football and would be well-equipped for the glare and scrutiny that comes with being England manager. He is on the market again after leaving Bayern Munich and held serious discussions with Manchester United just last month.

His in-game tactics and touchline energy are a world apart from Southgate and, having won the Champions League, he could help the team take that final step to winning a major trophy.

Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers has overseen attractive football in every job, consistently winning titles with Celtic plus the FA Cup with Leicester. He fell at the final hurdle with Liverpool in the Premier League and twice narrowly missed out on Champions League football with Leicester before his team rapidly declined and he was sacked.

He is not available at the moment, but he has previously shown little loyalty to clubs and would surely not blink if he was given the chance to coach England.

Sarina Wiegman

It would be an unprecedented move for a woman to take charge of a top international men's team. But if anyone was to do it, then Wiegman would be an excellent choice given her record at international tournaments.

She has won back-to-back European Championships with the Netherlands and England and also took both teams to the World Cup final. Her success with the Lionesses has turbo-charged the growth of women's football in this country and the men's team could sure do with her expertise in crunch moments.