Southgate explains truth about Manchester United links

Gareth Southgate has played down Manchester United's interest in him, insisting that he is currently enjoying life outside football. However, he admitted that he could return to coaching in the future.

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Southgate formally left the England job in July 2024 after guiding the Three Lions through a period of relative stability and improved tournament performances.

Hence, he was in contention for the Manchester United job before Amorim was hired and after the Portuguese tactician led the Red Devils to their worst-ever finish, 15th.

The former Sporting CP coach seems to have steadied the ship at Old Trafford, with four wins and a draw in their last six matches. This factored into Southgate's response when asked if he considered the Manchester United job. 

“Well, I think they’ve got a manager and he seems to be doing pretty well at the moment,” he told the BBC. “I had an amazing time [as England manager].

“Obviously, the great thing with England was there is the high purpose that you are… You know, I joined the FA to try to help English football become better, to help youth development, in particular. I somehow stumbled and ended up in the first-team manager’s job, and we had a pretty good period.”

However, Southgate insists that he is not desperate. While he does not rule out a return to coaching, he is not obsessed with the idea. 

“But I am not desperate to stay in football. I have had 37 years in football. You can never say never, because I have just seen Martin O’Neill at his age go to Celtic, but it is not something that is high on my agenda at the moment.”

“I am enjoying the work around leadership. I am enjoying my work with young people. I am very determined to try and make a difference there. And so, I am very relaxed about not being in football at the moment.”

Across his England tenure, he managed 102 matches, recording  64 wins, 20 draws and 18 defeats, with England reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the final of Euro 2020 (lost on penalties) and the Euro 2024 final (lost in extra-time) under his stewardship.