Gareth Southgate has retired from football after stepping down as England manager in July 2024, but is considered a likely candidate to become Manchester United’s next manager.
Gareth Southgate talks about returning to management (Image: Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Gareth Southgate will not become Manchester United’s next manager. The former England manager has decided not to fight for a spot as he has “no passion” for working in the Premier League at the moment.
Southgate has not coached a team since stepping down as England manager in July 2024, shortly after defeat in the European Championship final. The 55-year-old is focusing on business ventures and will host a TV show.
Southgate reiterated in a new interview that he has no intention of returning to the dugout anytime soon. “I don’t have the passion to go and manage the Premier League,” he said on the Football Boardroom podcast.
“I did it at 35 and finished 11th or 12th. Who’s in that position now, maybe Bournemouth or Brighton? I’ve had one of the biggest jobs in world football so I’ve been spoiled. I had a great night and worked with some good players. No owner will interfere.”
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The former Middlesbrough manager was linked with United’s vacancy following the sacking of manager Ruben Amorim last month. Michael Carrick has been given the job until the end of this season, and United have hired Steve Holland, England international Southgate’s right-hand man, as one of Carrick’s assistants.
However, he and Holland will never meet again at Old Trafford. Southgate also acknowledged the backlash he would receive if a club like United appointed him, having been perceived by some as a failure in the England squad.
“What people say is, ‘Well, he didn’t win.’ So how do you prove that you can win? He has to go to one of the big clubs,” he explained.
“Now we know those big clubs… Do you think I could have done the job that some of the people who were at those clubs recently did? Could I have done it better? I think I could.”
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Steve Holland works as Michael Carrick’s assistant (Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
“But we talked about the baggage that comes with me as a commitment if you’re an owner. And there’s a reality around that. I understand what the noise is about. There’s a part of it that could complicate my commitment to the club.”
Southgate went on to admit: “I don’t want to manage another national team. A club? To be honest, that’s not what I want to do.”
“I’m not actively looking for a coaching role now that it’s been two years since I left England. If that European final was the starting point, I wouldn’t be worried about that.”
“Because I have 15 to 20 years left in my life and I’m excited about another video, another movie, another part of my life.”
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