Gareth Southgate Reveals Timeline For Coaching Comeback

Gareth Southgate has ruled out a quick return to management after leaving England football, insisting that he will give himself time to make “good decisions”.

Southgate resigned following Euro 2024 after eight years as manager, during which he led the team to the finals of the last two European Championships.

He has since been connected with a number of vacancies or potentially open roles, including Manchester United, where the club’s hierarchy are known admirers.

Erik ten Hag continues to face significant pressure at Old Trafford, but Southgate has excluded himself from consideration should the Dutchman be let go.

“I won’t coach in the next year, for sure,” Southgate said at the European Club Association (ECA) general assembly. “I’m certain of that.

“I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time.”

Southgate’s only managerial position in club football was at Middlesbrough, where his tenure concluded in 2009, shortly after the team was relegated from the Premier League.

He returned to a front-line coaching role with England’s Under 21s four years later, setting him on the path to succeeding Sam Allardyce with the senior team.

“[Could I return to) club football? Depending on what role that is,” he added. “I have been fortunate to have worked with fantastic players. You have to have excitement and passion to go to work every day.

“It is unlikely to be another national federation. England was from the heart.”