Ex-England boss Southgate admits he may NEVER return to football management

Gareth Southgate has hinted that he might NEVER return to management over two years after leaving his role as England boss. Southgate, 56, enjoyed a brilliant eight-year spell with the Three Lions having led them to two Euros finals, as well as a World Cup semi-final.

But after the side’s defeat to Spain at Euro 2024, Southgate confirmed he would be stepping back from the role. He has been linked with a number of roles since then, including at Manchester United.

But it appears that Southgate is not considering a return to management yet. Asked on The Amol Rajan Connection whether he would consider a return to the Premier League, the ex-Middlesbrough boss said: "I don't see a scenario where I do that. Towards the end of my time with England, I stopped enjoying, at the very least for a period, the wins keep you going.

"By the end, I didn't even enjoy the wins for any longer than a couple of minutes. So, I've hardly watched football.

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"I went to the FA Cup final to see my team, Crystal Palace, win their first trophy. I've not been to a football ground since. So my sort of desire to be involved in football has changed."

Away from management, Southgate has managed to keep himself busy, having spent some time as a technical observer for UEFA, and has become a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School.

"I've loved the last 18 months of my life," Southgate added. "I've had 37 years where my sense of self depended on did I win or lose on Saturday.

"And actually I've loved having different experiences. I've met politicians, I've met people in the media industry, I have learned about leadership in all sorts of areas, I've travelled around the world learning things. I've just enjoyed playing a different film in my life."

Southgate ended up enjoying a brilliant spell as England manager after being appointed as Roy Hodgson’s successor in 2016. The Three Lions enjoyed a stunning first tournament under his watch as they reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, only to be beaten by Croatia.

They went one better at the following Euros, as they reached the final but were beaten by Italy on penalties. It was a similar result in 2024 as England went all the way to the final but were undone by Spain.

Southgate stepped down in the aftermath of that tournament and was replaced by Thomas Tuchel. The German oversaw his first tournament this summer, leading England to yet another semi-final.