Southgate breaks silence over Manchester United job

Former England manager Gareth Southgate has been tagged as a leading candidate to replace Erik ten Hag who is under fire as Manchester United manager. The two-time Euro Championship finalist has finally spoken on the prospect of taking over from the Dutchman at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has come under severe fire after seeing United to their poorest start to a Premier League season ever and the former England manager is one of the several names being thrown around as a potential replacement.

However, the sense of uncertainty surrounding ten Hag’s job persists as the club ownership have not offered any definite verdict on his future. It may seem that they are willing to stick with the former Ajax manager in spite of his current five-game winless run. A six-hour meeting of the management board could not reach a decision to show ten Hag the door at the club.
Notwithstanding, Southgate is not feeling pressured by the situation at Old Trafford and is not compelled to pressure the club ownership either. He spoke at the European Club Association (ECA) General Assembly in Athens where he confirmed that he is not so eager about the United manager role at the moment. He said, “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 am fortunate there are lots of opportunities presenting themselves.”

Southgate is a favourite among the candidates being suggested to succeed ten Hag as United manager along with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy. The two-time Euro Championship finalist is reportedly the favourite of INEOS, one of United’s biggest shareholders. He was also considered Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s top choice for the job in the summer before ten Hag’s deal was extended.