Former England football manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that he will not be returning to the sidelines for at least another year. Southgate, 54, stepped down from his role after England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July, ending his tenure after eight years at the helm.
Amid rumors linking him to a potential move to Manchester United, Southgate dismissed any possibility of an immediate return to coaching. “I won’t coach in the next year for sure, I’m certain of that,” Southgate said during the European Club Association’s general assembly in Athens, as reported by the BBC.
The speculation around Southgate’s future had grown following Manchester United’s struggles under current manager Erik ten Hag. Despite being touted as a candidate to replace ten Hag, Southgate remains focused on taking time away from football to recharge.
“When you step away from a major role like this, it’s essential to give yourself time. Your mind and body need a break,” he explained. “I’m in a good place in life right now, and I’m not in any hurry to jump back into coaching. I’ve been fortunate to have many opportunities come my way, but I want to make sure the next move is the right one.”
Southgate’s connection with United’s new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has also fueled speculation. Ashworth, who worked closely with Southgate as the FA’s technical director, was part of the team that promoted him to the senior England job after his success with the England Under-21 team. However, despite these connections, Southgate is content to take a step back for now.
The former Middlesbrough manager left a lasting legacy during his time with England, guiding the team to a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and a Euro 2020 final. Although his managerial future remains uncertain, Southgate appears in no rush to dive back into the high-pressure world of football management.
