After eight years in the English camp, Three Lions coach Gareth Southgate called quits on his managerial stint following the UEFA Euro final loss against Spain on Monday. As a proud Englishman, it has been the honor of my life to play for England and to manage England,” said Southgate. “It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it’s time for change and for a new chapter,” he added.

The Englishman’s decision is a surprise, as he was widely expected to extend his contract with the team after leading them to the Euro final. Meanwhile, a faction of fans and pundits said Southgate should move past his job, as England had a rather dry run at the European Cup.

However, the 53-year-old’s 8-year English stint was indeed one for the books. He boasts a better win ratio than the Three Lions’ only World Cup-winning boss Alf Ramsey. Besides, he is the only modern-era English boss who has led the team to a World Cup semi-final and two Euro finals. Let’s now examine where Southgate ranks among England’s best bosses regarding their win ratio. “You weren’t just one of our successful managers but you also did it with grace,” said former teammate and England legend David Beckham, thanking Southgate for his service.

Top five English managers explored, as Gareth Southgate resigns

5. Ron Greenwood (1977-1982)

English fans and the soccer world will remember Greenwood for leading England to the 1982 FIFA World Cup after failing to qualify for the tournament in 1974 and 1978. The Three Lions also qualified for the UEFA Euro 1980 under Greenwood’s watch. Greenwood has won 33 matches in 55 as England’s manager, posting a win rate of 60%. Before the England job, Greenwood managed West Ham and was instrumental in the success of legendary players such as Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst.

4. Glen Hoddle (1996-1999)

Glen Hoddle’s short managerial stint with the Three Lions is marked by an impressive win rate of 60.7%, having won 17 of 28 games he led. His run in the English camp took a hit after Argentina knocked the team out of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in the RO16, via penalties. During that Argentina tie, Beckham received a controversial red card for kicking rival star Diego Simeone and was sent off before the game went to penalties. Hoddle infamously blamed Beckham for putting England under pressure with his exit and created controversy back then.

3. Alf Ramsey (1963-1974)

Regarding the win ratio, two managers are above Ramsey in the list of the Three Lions’ top bosses. However, for certain English fans and experts, he would surely be the GOAT, thanks to his World Cup win in 1966.

Nonetheless, England failed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup under his watch and that remains a negative mark in his career. It took Rasmey 113 matches to find 69 wins. Southgate, who won 65 in 102 could have had more wins than Ramsey under his belt, had he stayed on in the Three Lions camp.

2. Gareth Southgate (2016-2024)

Gareth Southgate has won 65 games in 102 matches as an English boss with a 63.6% win rate. Besides the rating, Southgate took England to their first World Cup-semi final in two decades in 2018. His two back-to-back UEFA Euro final appearances are yet another impressive record that is not eclipsed by any other 20th-century English bosses. Renowned football journalist James Benge, close to the England NT, also ranked Southgate as England’s 2nd best manager ever.

1. Fabio Capello (2008-2012)

Capello’s record at major tournaments does not even stand a comparison to Southgate’s 2018 World Cup run and his stint in the last two Euros. He has not taken the Three Lions beyond the Ro16 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But the Italian’s win rate is second to none. The Italian tactician managed England in 42 matches and won a staggering 28 out of them. Capello could have extended his winning record in England, but he resigned from the job in 2012 as a protest against the English FA’s decision to strip John Terry’s captaincy.