Editorial 17 July 2024.
Wednesday’s front pages feature a variety of stories covering national and international politics as well as domestic stories including the resignation of England football manager Gareth Southgate – who resigned yesterday after eight years in charge.
Elsewhere, Jay Slater, 19, whose body was found yesterday also makes the front pages. There is also room for the latest from TV shows and showbiz gossip.
‘Gareth Southgate resigns’
The Metro dedicates its entire front page to Soughtgate. “Dear Gareth,” it says. “You’re leaving us and although it might not always seem like it, we really are thankful for everything you’ve done,” it adds.
“Thank you Gareth… for everything” is the Sun’s front page headline, external, echoing Southgate’s farewell sign-off. Though it notes on its back page, that “nervous” Newcastle have issued a “hands-off” warning to England over their manager Eddie Howe, who’s being seen as a leading contender to replace Southgate.
The Daily Mirror has a large image of Southgate along with the words: “Man of honour”. The paper notes in his resignation he says he ‘gave it my all’. The Express leads with Prince William’s tribute to Southgate. Inside, the paper thanks Southgate for “taking us to the edge of glory”. It too says the Football Association face a fight if it wants to prise Eddie Howe away from Newcastle to become the new England boss.
The header for the Telegraph says farewell to Gareth picking up on his comment that it’s time for a change. The Guardian says he’s bowed out after another Euro final loss.
In a less sentimental tone, the i newspaper says ‘Only glory is enough’ as it looks at Southgate’s stats as England manager. The Daily Star is also less sentimental, instead looking ahead at who can take over. The paper is hopeful the former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will take the top job – despite stepping back from management only a few months ago.
‘Brexit reset could help boost UK economy’
Several British political stories make the lead for most of the papers.
The i leads with a story on Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for a “Brexit reset”, which she hopes will build a better relationship with the EU and boost growth in the UK.
The Daily Express asks how Kier Starmer plans to stop the boats. It quotes senior Tories saying that “Christmas has come early” for people smugglers with the election of a Labour government. The paper notes that during a meeting of the Cabinet, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said tackling illegal migration was an important part of the government’s “European reset”, citing a No 10 spokesperson.
The Telegraph reports on Labour’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes. The paper says Starmer has pledged to ‘take the brakes off.’
US politics also finds space on the front pages.
The Telegraph reports on Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. The paper says the pair met at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Tuesday. It reports that Johnson urged Trump not to abandon Ukraine if he wins the presidential election later this year.
The FT focuses on how Trump’s choice for running mate JD Vance has “fuelled fear” in Europe, especially over US aid to Ukraine.