Gareth Southgate announced his decision to step down as England manager on Wednesday morning after the Three Lions' defeat in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday

Gareth Southgate can now enjoy some family time (Image: Getty Images)

Gareth Southgate will have plenty of time on his hands to relax and enjoy some family time after stepping down from his role as England boss.

After a tenure of eight years at the helm of the national team, which saw them reach back-to-back Euros finals and a World Cup semi-final, Southgate confirmed his departure on Tuesday in a heartfelt statement.

In order to maintain focus during games, the manager admits that he takes a much-needed break from the intense world of football when at his family home in Yorkshire.

His wife of nearly three decades, Alison, isn't the biggest fan of the sport and is rarely spotted in the stands - something Gareth personally prefers, reports the Mirror.

The value for family time clearly influences the team's ethos, as it's reported that the manager promotes bonding with loved ones post-match to help 'relax' the players. As part of this announcement, the Mirror dives into an exploration of Alison's life - tracing their love story and divulging their joint hobbies.

Gareth and Alison's love story began when the football icon was a young trainee at Crystal Palace in his early 20s.

He first laid eyes on her while she was working as a counter assistant in a Croydon shop, as he revealed in his 2003 autobiography.

Too shy to make the first move, Gareth would hang around the shop pretending to browse clothes until he mustered up the courage to talk to her. At that time, Alison was living with a boyfriend, but their relationship was reportedly shaky.

It was love at first sight for Gareth Southgate (Image: Getty Images)

Seizing the opportunity, Gareth slipped her his number, which led to a phone call later that night.

The pair arranged their first date the following day, meeting secretly in a local Tesco car park to avoid her ex-boyfriend discovering them. When Gareth was transferred to Aston Villa, Alison presented him with an ultimatum: either she moved to Birmingham with him, or they ended their relationship.

Fortunately, he agreed, and their bond only grew stronger. They tied the knot in June 1997 at his parents' local church, with the wedding carefully scheduled between World Cup and European Championship campaigns.

Together, they have two children - Mia, 23, and Flynn, 19. The family resides in a lavish £3.75 million property in North Yorkshire.

Their stunning Grade I-listed residence, known as Swinsty Hall, features six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a wine cellar, a cinema room, and even a separate cottage within the grounds.

His astonishing home, tucked away and seemingly secretive, is nestled next to a reservoir. Before it was his, developer Chris Taylor held the deeds.

Away from football, the father-of-two heaps praise on his children for their ability to offer respite from his fast-paced career.

In his book, he professed: "On Saturday evening, our children are not too bothered whether Dad's team have won or lost. Neither does Alison fret too much about football, and this is how I like it.

"Regardless of the result, it is up to me to ensure that no one's evening is ruined because of things that happened on a football field. The agonising waits until Alison and the kids are asleep."

Alison doesn't share her husband's enthusiasm for the game, and, as it would seem, the apples don't fall far from the tree - his children either. Alison may have been spotted at Wembley stadium cheering her husband on; she doesn't typically populate the spectator stands.

Speaking with Daily Mail, Gareth's father divulged: "Actually, I don't think Alison likes football very much. Obviously she has to take an interest because it's Gareth's job, and she is always very supportive.

"She will sometimes go to Wembley for an international game - but not during the school term because she always puts the children first."

When she's not taking care of family life, Alison reportedly campaigns on behalf of animal rights and enjoys mingling within her "wide circle of friends". It's speculated that Alison follows a vegetarian diet and counts yoga sessions and Barbados holidays among her choice recreational activities.

The couple are known to enjoy socialising with the England squad away from the game. Rebekah Vardy, Jamie Vardy's other half, has lauded Gareth for promoting a family-friendly atmosphere among the players.

She gushed: "He's got the right idea of the team mentality. He's really relaxed with the players and he makes an effort with all of the families. He really encourages family days after games which relaxes the players, it brings a bit of normality in."