Gareth Southgate announced that he would be leaving his post as England manager after eight years in charge, in which he has produced plenty of incredible memories which fans will cherish and honour for a lifetime.
From breaking long-standing records, to tournament victories on home soil, and the late drama in Germany, his eight years in charge have been thrilling and have produced a whirlwind of empties both on and off the pitch.
Before we get into this piece, there is one final thing to say: thank you Gareth, for everything.
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England destroy penalty curse
After qualifying from the group with two wins and one loss, the Three Lions were pitted against Colombia in the round of sixteen at the 2018 World Cup.
This game really felt like it kickstarted an exciting new era under Gareth Southgate, as England won a penalty shootout at a World Cup for the first time ever, capping off an ill-disciplined affair in Moscow.
Despite being denied numerous penalties in the first half, and the South American side escaping a blatant red card for a head-butt on Jordan Henderson, England finally got justice midway through the second half. Harry Kane was pulled down by Juan Cuadrado, and stepped up to dispatch the penalty past David Ospina.
However, deep into stoppage time, Yerry Mina climbed highest to head home and send the game into extra time and then eventually penalties. Henderson's blushes were spared as Jordan Pickford made two saves, before Eric Dier smacked home from twelve yards out to win the tie.
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Pandemonium at Wembley
Old rivals were renewed at Wembley Stadium in the round of sixteen at Euro 2020, with England hosting Germany in a grudge match on home soil.
With home advantage and a one-hundred percent record in the group stage, Gareth Southgate's side came into this fiery clash as heavy favourites. It was the first test to see the national team's resilience against top opposition, after their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Croatia at the previous tournament, and they passed it with flying colours.
A cagey first half saw the tie head into the break at a stalemate, however the second half was a much different story. Kai Havertz's ferocious effort drew a fabulous save from Pickford, before Raheem Sterling continued his impeccable start to the tournament.
The Chelsea winger found captain Kane at the culmination of his weaving run, before continuing into the six-yard box where he was on hand to latch onto Luke Shaw's low cross and make Wembley erupt. Just moments later, the national hero nearly became the villain as he set Germany on their way for a one-on-one - Thomas Muller vs Jordan Pickford. Wide. Phew.
This was the true test of resilience which we mentioned Southgate's side needed, especially with the game getting stretched and the visitors having plenty of chances. The Three Lions rounded off their exam in style, as Harry Kane stooped to head home from a Jack Grealish cross and spark delirium up and down the country.
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Major final successfully achieved
There need not be an introduction to this one.
For just the second time since the creation of the national team in 1870, England had reached back-to-back semi finals at major tournaments. The failed to jump the hurdle of Croatia three years prior, and now a rejuvenated Denmark side stood between elimination and a home final date with two-time winners Italy.
Gareth Southgate's side got off to the worst possible start, conceding to a belter of a free kick from Mikel Damsgaard after just half an hour. But, yet again we saw a glimpse of just how far the former Middlesbrough manager had taken his side since he was appointed in 2016, off the back of a laughable Euro 2016 campaign under Roy Hodgson and a short spell under Sam Allardyce.
This game was one of many which encapsulates Southgate's heroic job as manager of the Three Lions, as he instilled a never say die mentality in his staff and squad.
In the first half, England responded with an equaliser and then in extra time, Harry Kane scored the winner as he smashed home the rebound from his penalty that he saw saved by Kasper Schmeichel. England had reached a final of a major tournament, and players and fans inside Wembley Stadium couldn't control their emotion at this remarkable achievement.
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Southgate's side refuse to back down
A shock was on the cards in Gelsenkirchen. England fans, both in Germany and at home, couldn't quite believe their eyes. Minnows Slovakia were about to send England crashing out of UEFA EURO 2024, and Southgate's England tenure looked set to come to a disappointing end.
One last throw of the dice. With seconds remaining, Kyle Walker launches a long throw into the penalty area, where it is met with a Marc Guehi flick on. Time slows. A hush beckons over the VELTINS-Arena. Jude Bellingham leaps. And net bulges as he picks out the bottom corner. A scintillating finish - the best piece of individual brilliance we have ever seen in the Gareth Southgate era.
We've already touched on the toughness shown in previous years by Southgate's side and yet again we have lived through another prime example of it. When things weren't going to plan, stick by because we'll find a solution.
Under a single minute of extra time had been played before the captain pulled up with yet another clutch moment when his country needed it. Substitute Ivan Toney flicked a bouncing volley towards goal, where it was met by Harry Kane who nodded home to keep the dream alive for at least one more game.
This game was arguably the best moment under the departing manager. Once again a comeback win had inspired the nation, thanks to a moment of excellence from his new star boy. When England looked to be down and out, they picked themselves up and found a way, bringing a smile to the country's faces.
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Super sub Watkins creates history
Gareth Southgate's final victory as England manager was again not one for the weak-hearted.
In a similar story to the win over Denmark in the previous European Championship, England were forced to come from behind in a semi final after conceding early on. A rocket from young star Xavi Simons saw the Netherlands race into an early lead, but, of course, Southgate's men pegged them back.
After winning a questionable spot kick, the captain kept his composure to slam a penalty past Bart Verbruggen and just eleven minutes after falling behind, the Three Lions were roaring once again. Phil Foden had an effort blocked on the line, as England looked to step it up and turn the tie around as quickly as possible.
Their run to the semi final hadn't been easy, winning just once in normal time along the way, and that came in England's opening game of the tournament against Serbia. Two draws, an extra time victory and a penalty shootout victory later, and Southgate's men looked as though they would have to complete two hours of football, again, to get past the Dutch.
With ten minutes to go, Southgate made a bold move as he replaced the nation's all-time leading goalscorer with Ollie Watkins. Fellow substitute Cole Palmer would extraordinarily link up with the Aston Villa forward, who rolled his defender and produced a mesmerising finish to beat Verburggen, sending the England faithful into complete and utter chaos as they reached back-to-back major tournament finals for the first ever time.
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Honourable mention: England 2-1 Croatia, 2019
Due to all the thrilling occasions Southgate's side have delivered in major tournaments over the past six years, it was very difficult to omit this particular game, however we couldn't complete this article without mentioning it.
Just a small number of months after they went to battle in Moscow, where Croatia broke England hearts as they reached the World Cup final, the two sides met again with a place in the final four of the inaugural UEFA Nations League on the line.
The visitors took the lead through Andrej Kramaric's deflected effort, but were pegged back by Jesse Lingard's equaliser fifteen minutes from time. With just five minutes left on the clock, captain Kane saved the day, sliding in to divert Ben Chilwell's free kick goal-wards and send Wembley into sheer delight.
It was this particular triumph that really made fans believe Gareth Southgate is the man for the job, as his side came out on top in a tough battle to reach the final stage of the Nations League. Fans truly believed he was the man to successfully carry England through their new golden generation, and they were right!
