EXCLUSIVE: A Manchester United legend made his feelings clear on Gareth Southgate and Eddie Howe being linked with the permanent managerial position at Old Trafford
07:00, 16 Jan 2026Updated 07:10, 16 Jan 2026
Gareth Southgate
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Gareth Southgate has been linked with the Manchester United job(Image: Etsuo Hara, Getty Images)
Manchester United icon Clayton Blackmore has staunchly dismissed the idea of Gareth Southgate becoming the club’s next permanent manager.
Blackmore, who played 245 times for United across 12 years, came through the youth academy and made his debut under Ron Atkinson. However, it wasn’t until his final years at Old Trafford that he started landing major silverware after the appointment of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former Wales international is one of many old Ferguson players who believe United teams should be playing free-flowing attacking football, something he insists Southgate would not install if he were given the job in the summer.
Clayton Blackmore
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Clayton Blackmore spent 12 years in the first team at Manchester United(Image: Mirrorpix)
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, via best online casinos UK, Blackmore firmly refused to entertain Southgate but gave a glowing review about Newcastle boss Eddie Howe getting the job, he said: “No. I don't like centre-backs in charge so I would rule Gareth Southgate out for the long term.
“I've played in every position, and former defenders tend to be more defensive-minded because obviously they were a defender themselves. And I get it. And that's what happens with people.
“You're winning 1-0, and then last 10 minutes, the team just drop right back. I like Eddie Howe a lot. He could well be a name which is popular come this summer.”
Eddie Howe
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Eddie Howe has been supported as a popular candidate for the Manchester United job(Image: )
Southgate is currently out of a job after he resigned from his position as England boss after the Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain.
The 55-year-old has long been linked with the United job through various managerial dismissals at Old Trafford but it appears that he is not under consideration given Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. decided to appoint an interim manager while Southgate remained available to take the position with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s future remains precarious with Newcastle’s stuttering Premier League form and being left with a mountain to overcome in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final after defeat at home to Manchester City.
In August 2022, Howe signed a new long-term contract; however, the exact length of his deal remains uncertain, nor is the possibility of a release clause.
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Ironically enough for INEOS and the United board, sacked sporting director Dan Ashworth was crucial in the careers and appointments of both Southgate and Howe at England and Newcastle.
But Ashworth was sacked from his position at United just five months into the job and 11 months after he was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle, where he helped tie Howe down to that contract extension.