Former England manager Gareth Southgate has announced that he will not be returning to coaching within the next year, effectively ruling himself out of contention for the managerial role at Manchester United. This declaration comes amidst growing speculation surrounding Southgate’s future and his potential involvement with the Premier League giants. United’s managerial situation remains uncertain, with current boss Erik ten Hag under increasing pressure following a poor start to the 2024-25 season.
Southgate, who left his role as England manager after the team’s narrow defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, made his comments during an event in Athens. He was unequivocal in stating that he needs time away from the game to reflect and make thoughtful decisions about his future.
“I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that,” Southgate said. “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 and mind time to recover.”
Manchester United have yet to clarify the future of current manager Erik ten Hag, who has faced mounting criticism following the team’s inconsistent performances this season. The Dutchman has struggled to find form with his squad, which currently sits mid-table in the Premier League standings, far below expectations for a club of United’s stature. Speculation has intensified over the past few weeks, with reports suggesting that the United board is weighing its options as they consider the long-term direction of the club.
Despite this uncertainty, there has been no official confirmation from the club about Ten Hag’s future. Sources close to the club suggest that discussions regarding his position were part of a recent seven-hour meeting involving key figures at United, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a minority shareholder who recently took over the club’s football operations.
The meeting reportedly covered a wide range of topics, from sponsorship deals to the redevelopment of Old Trafford. However, Erik ten Hag’s future was also believed to be a key point of discussion, with United’s hierarchy keen to address the team’s struggles and the growing dissatisfaction among fans.
Southgate’s decision to take a break from coaching will come as a relief to Ten Hag, who has already faced intense media speculation about his potential successor. Southgate, who had been linked with the Manchester United job in recent weeks, is seen by many as a natural fit for the role, given his experience at the top level with England and his reputation for fostering team unity and player development.
However, Southgate has made it clear that he is not ready to jump back into the managerial hot seat so soon after his seven-year stint as England manager. “When you come out of a really big role, you need to give yourself time. You need to give your mind time to reset and your body time to recover,” Southgate emphasized.
His comments suggest that he is taking a well-deserved break after leading England through several major international tournaments, including the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, where his side reached the final.
As for Ten Hag, reports suggest that despite the growing pressure, he still retains the backing of the club’s executives, at least for now. The Dutchman is currently taking a short break during the international period and is expected to return to the club with renewed energy. Sources inside the club indicate that there has been no direct communication to Ten Hag regarding his dismissal, and for now, the status quo remains in place.
Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol has suggested that “no news is good news” for Ten Hag. While the United board has been discussing a variety of matters, including the manager’s performance, it appears that no immediate decision has been made to part ways with him. Solhekol noted, “If a decision was made that Ten Hag should be replaced, that would be communicated internally first, not to the media.”
Football pundit Jamie Carragher has expressed sympathy for Ten Hag, noting that the Dutchman has been “hung out to dry” by Manchester United’s ownership, particularly after reports emerged in the summer that the club had been in contact with other potential managers, including Thomas Tuchel. Carragher commented, “No one in employment would want their bosses publicly speaking to other people for their job.”
Carragher also highlighted United’s ongoing struggles with inconsistency, emphasizing that while the team occasionally manages to scrape wins, their overall performances remain unconvincing. “It’ll be tough for him [Ten Hag], but the start of this season hasn’t been too different in terms of performances. The same issues are persisting,” Carragher noted.
For now, Manchester United’s managerial saga remains unresolved, with Ten Hag still in charge but under intense scrutiny. Gareth Southgate’s decision to take a break from coaching removes one potential candidate from the equation, providing Ten Hag with a temporary reprieve. However, as United’s season continues, both the players and the manager will need to deliver improved performances to ensure stability at Old Trafford.
