Gareth Southgate hints he might quit football after England exit as he opens up on next job

Gareth Southgate has dropped the strongest hint yet that he may never return to football management.

The 54-year-old stood down as England manager following the Three Lions’ defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July.

3 Gareth Southgate left his role as England boss in July Credit: Getty

It capped off a progressive era for the national team who reached the World Cup semi-final in 2018 before losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy – all under the stewardship of Southgate.

The ex-Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender had been linked with club roles including the previously vacant managerial post at Manchester United.

However, it appears that Southgate has no plans to return to the dugout any time soon following his exploits with England.

Writing on LinkedIn, Southgate said: “After eight years serving in one of the highest profile roles in World Football, I’m consciously taking time to reflect on what I lived through and thinking deeply about what comes next. Looking back there are matches and moments I will remember for the rest of my life.

“Coaching top players was a challenge that pushed me to operate at the very highest level. The weight of the role with the unique responsibility it carried was something few ever get to experience. Perhaps the hardest thing of all to replicate though, is going to be the sense of purpose.

“Every morning I drove through the gates of St George’s Park, I had a responsibility to improve English football. Whenever the National Anthem played pre- game, I was representing 50 million people, their hopes and dreams.

“When I travelled, or spoke publicly I had a duty to be an ambassador for my country. Even in the most difficult moments, whether after heartbreaking defeats or during tense media scrutiny I was acutely aware of the need to stand with dignity and demonstrate strong leadership.

“This was not only for the players and staff beside me but also for the millions of young people watching, who might find inspiration and hope in what we do.

“This higher purpose kept me on track, gave me structure, made my life more fulfilling and is going to be extremely difficult to replicate.

“It’s why I’m not limiting my future options to remaining as a football coach."

3 Southgate led England at four major tournaments over an eight-year spell as manager Credit: PA

3 He enjoyed a fruitful relationship with his biggest stars including captain Harry Kane Credit: AFP

Southgate admits that whilst he is currently at a crossroads in his life, time away from the spotlight has helped him visualise possible new career openings.

“As part of working out what comes next, I’ve really enjoyed picking the brains of some outstanding people," he continued. "By offering them a blank canvas great conversations have developed and a flow of ideas I’d never contemplated. (Honestly, joining LinkedIn was not the sum total…!) It’s shown me the importance of a good network and the power of getting different perspectives.

“I’m comfortable with this period of ‘exploration’ and not having all the answers. I’m following the advice I would give to any young person, without a clear career vision. Keep learning, build or explore your network, seek different life experiences and when you decide what’s next, there will be no right or wrong, just one path or another.

“For now, I’m finding my required purpose within all that being able to dial up the days supporting my chosen charities.

“I’m not the only 50something contemplating a change of direction. An article in The Times last week said that a third of the current 45 to 54 year old working cohort expects to change careers before they retire. Finding purpose appears to be a major driver behind these numbers.

“So if you’re at a similar crossroads I wish you well. It’s my intention to identify people I want to work with and projects and passions I want to work on. I will be putting purpose high on my list of considerations, because in those difficult moments we all face, the purpose will keep us going.”

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