Gareth Southgate Says He Is Taking A Year Out From Football Management After Leaving England Manager Role

Former England manager Gareth Southgate has announced he plans to take at least a year out from football management.

Southgate left his position as England men’s boss following defeat to Spain in the final for Euro 2024 this summer.

The 54-year-old took England to their first major finals since 1966, reaching the Euros final in back-to-back tournaments.

He also achieved a fourth-placed finish at the 2018 World Cup, and his eight years in charge were England’s most successful in the modern era.

The former Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa defender had been linked with the Manchester United job with Red Devils boss Erik Ten Hag under increasing pressure.

But Southgate has now officially ruled himself out of a move to Old Trafford.

He told the European Club Association general assembly in Athens: “I won’t coach in the next year for sure, 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.

“I’m enjoying my life, so there’s no rush.”

Southgate added: “I’m fortunate that there are lots of different opportunities that are presenting themselves. The business side of football is really interesting.

“I’ve been invited to speak at Harvard and there’s lots of exciting life experiences to have.

“I’m 54 and want to enjoy and be really motivated for the next 10 to 15 years of my life and the most important thing is to give myself time to make good decisions.”

Gareth Southgate Finished With International Football

Having previously managed former club Middlesbrough, Gareth Southgate appears more aligned with an eventual return to club football.

He said: “Clubs can only be successful if everything is aligned, right the way through the club,

“I also know that maybe the smarter people sit in the boardrooms and the coaches are a little bit more dispensable than you think when you are there.

“As a coach you think you’re the most important person. I sat in every boardroom in our country for eight years and realised you’re only a small piece in this whole thing.”

Southgate’s replacement, interim England boss Lee Carsley, has made a good start so far. The Three Lions have won both of their first two games under Carsley.

Next up, England host Greece in the Nations League at Wembley this evening.

Southgate Warns Of ‘Negative’ Media Impacting England

A key factor in Southgate’s success with England was the changed attitude towards the team in the media.

This was something which changed during Euro 2023. After a good relationship in his first three tournaments, Southgate has criticised the negativity around England’s early struggles this summer.

He said: “We saw that in the summer when there was a shift with the media because it brought more pressure on to the team.

“That is a watch out for England going forward. They need to keep that strong relationship with the fans and the media because it is much harder if you don’t.”

“Some of our players weren’t delivering at the highest possible level because they were inhibited and thinking about not being the guy who was responsible for losing rather than how do we go and win.”

Qatar 2022 Was England’s Best Performance According To Southgate

Despite exiting at the earliest stage of any tournament under Gareth Southgate, the former manager believes the 2022 World Cup saw England play their best football of his tenure.

A quarter-final defeat to then reigning World Champions France cut the tournament short. But few would argue a narrow defeat to the tournament favourites was an underachievement.

Southgate added: “We had a lot of physical issues [at Euro 2024]. We had players not at their best.

“This summer we couldn’t find the same flow and rhythm. But we still managed to find different ways to win.

“I am pleased we have left consistency. We have been ranked in the top five in the world for six years and we delivered over four tournaments.

“But that missing piece will always eat away that we weren’t able to deliver a trophy for supporters who have waited for a long time.”