Gareth Southgate stepped away from football after leaving his role as England manager in July 2024, although he's been tipped to become Manchester United's next boss
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Former England men's football team manager, Gareth Southgate attends The Future Workforce Summit, hosted by The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood, on November 18, 2025 in London, England. The Summit is set to bring together the UK's most influential business leaders in the hope of driving further action and investment in the early years. (Photo by Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Gareth Southgate has discussed returning to management(Image: Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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Gareth Southgate will NOT be Manchester United's next manager. The former England boss has ruled himself out of contention, as he has 'no passion' to work in the Premier League at this time.
Southgate hasn't coached a team since quitting as England manager in July 2024, shortly after the losing the European Championship final. The 55-year-old has focussed on business ventures and he's set to host a TV show.
In a new interview, Southgate reiterated that he isn't planning on a return to the dugout any time soon. "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? 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.
The ex-Middlesbrough boss was linked with the United vacancy after Ruben Amorim was sacked last month. Michael Carrick has been given the job until the end of this season and United have hired Steve Holland, Southgate's right-hand man for England, as one of Carrick's assistants.
However, he and Holland won't be reuniting at Old Trafford. Southgate also acknowledged the backlash he'd receive if a club such as United appointed him, having been perceived by some as a failure with England.
"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.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (R) looks on next to assistant Steve Holland during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Steve Holland is working as Michael Carrick's assistant(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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"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. There's that bit which makes me potentially a complicated appointment for a club."
Southgate went on to confirm: "I don't want to go and manage a different national team. Club? It's honestly not what I'm looking to do.
"Now, two years after leaving England, I'm not actively looking for a role in coaching. If that European final was the bit (in coaching) I wouldn't worry about that.
"Because there is another 15-20 years of my life ahead of me and I’m excited about a different video, a different movie, a different part of my life."