Gareth Southgate rules out Manchester United job and Premier League return
Former England manager Gareth Southgate has ruled out becoming the next Manchester United boss, stating he currently holds “no passion” for a return to Premier League management.
The 55-year-old had been heavily linked with the vacancy at Old Trafford following the recent dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
Speculation intensified after his long-time assistant Steve Holland joined Michael Carrick’s coaching staff at the club earlier this week.
However, the ex-Three Lions chief has firmly dismissed the possibility of a reunion in the dugout.
‘Spoiled’ by England role
Southgate has not held a managerial position since departing the national team setup in July 2024 following the defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
He believes his eight-year tenure in international football offered a unique environment that club management cannot currently match.
“I’ve got no passion to just go and manage in the Premier League,” he told The Football Boardroom podcast.
“I did that at 35, I finished 11th, 12th. Who is in those positions now, probably Bournemouth, Brighton?”
The former Middlesbrough manager feels the autonomy he enjoyed with the FA set a high benchmark.
“I’ve had one of the biggest jobs in world football so I’ve been spoiled. Huge nights, working with outstanding players. No owner interfering.”
Baggage and big clubs
Southgate acknowledged that his perception among supporters makes him a “complicated appointment” for elite domestic sides.
Despite leading his country to back-to-back European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final, he feels his record is often scrutinised unfairly regarding silverware.
“The bit that, externally, people are saying is, ‘well, he didn’t win’. So how do you prove that you can win? You’ve got to go to one of those big clubs,” he explained.
“Now we know those big clubs… do I think I could have done the job that some people who have been in those clubs recently have done? Could I do better? I think I could.”
“But we’ve talked about the baggage that comes with me as an appointment if you’re an owner. And there’s a reality around that, I can understand what that noise is.”
Future away from the dugout
Carrick is currently leading United on an interim basis until the end of the season.
While Holland has returned to coaching to assist the former midfielder, Southgate confirmed he is not actively seeking a role.
“I don’t want to go and manage a different national team. Club? It’s honestly not what I’m looking to do,” he added.
“Now, two years after leaving England, I’m not actively looking for a role in coaching.”