Gareth Southgate has confirmed that he will not return to coaching in the next year, putting an end to rumours linking him as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
Southgate resigned in July following eight years as England manager, following the Three Lions’ agonising defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
In four tournaments as England manager, he led the country he represented 57 times as a player to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, and the finals of both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. England also came third in the inaugural version of the UEFA Nations League under his watch, in 2019.
Southgate has kept a low profile since handing over the England reins to interim manager Lee Carsley, making few public appearances.
He was rumoured to be a target of United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS as Ten Hag’s successor before taking England to the European Championship this summer.
Those links have since re-emerged this season, with Ten Hag under huge pressure after United registered their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign with just eight points from their opening seven games.
Southgate has also been linked to the Everton job, should Sean Dyche be replaced as manager, but the 54-year-old has now issued an update to say he will not rush back into the dugout, though does plan to venture back into club coaching at some point after a previous stint with Middlesbrough.
“Sometimes when you are in a big role, you don’t realise the weight until it’s gone,” he told the European Club Association’s (ECA) general assembly. “It is one of those jobs where everybody has an opinion.
“I am enjoying my life, so there is no rush. For 11 years, I committed fully to the national federation. I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I am certain of that. When you come out of a big role you need to give your body time, your mind time.”
Southgate added: “[A return to] club football? Depending on what role that is. I have been fortunate to have worked with fantastic players. You’ve got to have excitement, passion to go to work every day.
“It is unlikely to be another national federation. England was from the heart.”
