New Delhi: Former England manager Gareth Southgate is in no hurry to return to management after stepping down as the boss of the Three Lions. Recently, while interacting at the European Club Association general assembly in Athens, Southgate said he wanted to give himself some time before taking on any new assignment.
Southgate resigned as England coach after the UEFA Euro 2024 final, ending eight years in charge of the side. Under Southgate, the England team reached back-to-back European Championships and a final-four finish in the 2018 World Cup. Since his departure from England, he has been linked with numerous clubs.
Southgate has been approached for vacant roles, with many linking him to Manchester United after their recent performances, which echoed fans’ sentiments to sack the Red Devils’ current coach, Erik Ten Hag. The 54-year-old manager, though, rubbished all rumours of any immediate decision from him regarding his future.
Southgate coy on next managerial step! 😮
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Southgate has said that he will take a year before his next decision as he wants to relax his mind and body after such a toll-taking job with the English side. In club football, Southgate has only one club he managed, when he was the boss of Middlesborough between 2006 and 2009, with his time with the club ending months after the side was relegated from the Premier League. His next role as manager came for England U-21 in 2013.
With Liverpool’s former manager, Jurgen Klopp, returning as Red Bull’s global head of soccer, many wondered if Southgate would be interested in a similar role. The former Aston Villa player mentioned that he had many opportunities, including an invite to speak at Harvard.
Southgate’s decision on club football
Southgate mentioned that it was important he made the right decision and that he needed time. He has, however, mentioned that he will definitely not manage another national team and will have to evaluate before taking any assignment for club-level football. He mentioned that clubs can be successful when everything is lined up perfectly. He felt that there were much smarter people in a boardroom than the coach and that during his tenure as the English coach, he felt he was just a “small piece in the whole thing.”
Previously, Southgate had mentioned that his next assignment might have nothing to do with football at all. As of now, the former Middlesbrough coach has kept his cards close. The England team will face Greece in the Nations League at Wembley on Thursday, with Lee Carsley leading the side as interim manager. So far, he has won both the games in the tournament as the boss of Three Lions.
After stepping down as England’s manager, Gareth Southgate is in no hurry to return to the football pitch. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
