Was the only likely choice really, as the result suggests.
After Corbyn's abject failure a repositioning towards the centre was inevitable. Problem is that Starmer will also have to keep a large swathe of those to the left with him, which in effect means uniting two factions who will happily attack him as soon as he does something in line with the other. Good luck with that.
Given the scale of Labour's last defeat, I don't think there's much chance of them winning the next GE and I suspect Starmer will ultimately be unsuccessful too. Which says a lot given the other candidates would all likely fare worse.
Apologising for and promising to rip out anti-semitism in the party is the right start for anyone who was elected, let's see if his actions match his words.