Gareth Southgate Dismisses Manchester United Manager Speculation
Gareth Southgate has firmly closed the door on any possibility of becoming Manchester United's next manager, following intense speculation linking him to the role at Old Trafford. The former England national team boss, who stepped away from football management in July 2024 after leading the Three Lions to the European Championship final, has made it clear that a return to the Premier League dugout is not on his agenda.
No Passion for Premier League Management
In a candid interview on The Football Boardroom podcast, Southgate revealed his current mindset regarding a potential return to club management. "I've got no passion to just go and manage in the Premier League," he stated unequivocally. The 55-year-old reflected on his previous experience managing Middlesbrough, where he achieved mid-table finishes, and contrasted it with the prestige of managing England.
"I did that at 35, I finished 11th, 12th. Who is in those positions now, probably Bournemouth, Brighton? I've had one of the biggest jobs in world football so I've been spoiled," Southgate explained. "Huge nights, working with outstanding players. No owner interfering."
Speculation Amid United's Managerial Changes
The speculation about Southgate potentially taking over at Manchester United emerged after the club sacked Ruben Amorim last month. United have since appointed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the current season. Notably, the club has also hired Steve Holland – Southgate's trusted assistant during his England tenure – to work alongside Carrick.
Despite this connection, Southgate confirmed that he and Holland will not be reuniting at Old Trafford. The former defender acknowledged the public perception that might accompany his appointment to a major club like United, particularly given criticism from some quarters about his failure to win a major tournament with England.
Understanding the 'Baggage' of Appointment
Southgate demonstrated remarkable self-awareness about how his potential appointment would be received. "The bit that, externally, people are saying is, 'well, he didn't win'. So how do you prove that you can win? You've got to go to one of those big clubs," he analyzed.
He continued: "Now we know those big clubs… do I think I could have done the job that some people who have been in those clubs recently have done? Could I do better? I think I could. But we've talked about the baggage that comes with me as an appointment if you're an owner. And there's a reality around (that), I can understand what that noise is. There's that bit which makes me potentially a complicated appointment for a club."
Looking Forward to New Challenges
Southgate went on to confirm his broader career intentions beyond just ruling out the United role. "I don't want to go and manage a different national team. Club? It's honestly not what I'm looking to do," he declared.
Nearly two years after his England departure, Southgate appears content with his decision to step away from frontline coaching. "Now, two years after leaving England, I'm not actively looking for a role in coaching. If that European final was the bit (in coaching) I wouldn't worry about that," he said.
The former manager is embracing new opportunities beyond football, including business ventures and television work. "Because there is another 15-20 years of my life ahead of me and I'm excited about a different video, a different movie, a different part of my life," Southgate concluded, signaling his readiness to explore fresh challenges outside the pressure-cooker environment of top-level football management.
