Gareth Southgate's friends sense that he feels undervalued after his spell as England manager, according to reports, as his absence from the game extends to two years. The former England boss has been watching from the sidelines since leaving after the Euro 2024 final defeat, his second final loss in three years.
Southgate's England Legacy
Southgate was the architect of England's renaissance, leading them to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018. Over the next three tournaments, he reached two finals and a quarter-final before departing. Despite this, he faced criticism for lacking in-game impact compared to elite counterparts and benefiting from favourable draws.
The Telegraph reports that those close to him believe his work does not receive the appreciation it deserves. He helped develop a new generation of players, and while Thomas Tuchel was seen as an upgrade, the German has not surpassed Southgate's World Cup semi-final achievement. After England's 1-0 loss to Argentina on Wednesday, flaws once attributed to Southgate—defensive tactics and poor game control—are now being levelled at Tuchel.
Club Management Aspirations
Southgate remains without a managerial role but stays busy with various engagements away from football. The 55-year-old has been linked to Manchester United, the club he supported as a boy. However, he believes he needs to prove himself to land an elite job, and Michael Carrick's appointment may have closed that door.
Initial links arose when Dan Ashworth, who worked with Southgate at England, held a senior role at Old Trafford. Ashworth has since left, but speculation persists whenever the job becomes available. Southgate's only club role was with Middlesbrough, where he presided over relegation, and he has spoken about wanting to change that narrative.
