Manchester United fans 'should breathe a sigh of relief' as Gareth Southgate makes decision on future
Man United fans were congratulated by Simon Jordan on a lucky escape after Gareth Southgate ruled out any new job this season.
the ex-England The boss has been out of management since resigning after Euro 2024.
But south gate He has now confirmed that there is no chance of him taking over as Man United manager, or any other managerial role, for the next year.
He had been pointed out as one of the possible successors of Erik ten Hag in united manwith the Dutchman increasingly under pressure after a poor run of matches.
But he made an appearance at the Association of European Clubs general assembly in Athens, where he was asked what the future held for him in terms of employment.
“First of all, I'm enjoying my life… so there's no rush,” he said. “I spent 11 years fully committing to the FA and I have many different experiences.
“But I certainly won't be a coach next year. I'm sure of that.
“I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really important role, you need to give your body and mind time.”
While some had welcomed the idea of the 54-year-old taking the reins at Old Trafford, Jordan He believed the opposite and explained why he was convinced that Southgate would not have been the right man for the job.
When his talkSPORT co-host Jim White told Jordan that Ten Hag could perhaps rest easy given Southgate's confession, Jordan was quick to respond.
“Maybe Man United fans can (breathe a little easier),” he said.
“I find it disconcerting,” he added while discussing Southgate's links with Man United. “I mean, I have nothing against that guy. He was at Crystal Palace, he was a very good player for Crystal Palace.
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“He went on to do decent things as a footballer, played for his country on several occasions, went to Aston Villa and had a good career.
“But there is no parallel universe in which anyone – I would argue with anyone – can suggest to me why Gareth Southgate would be the savior of the constant failure of Manchester United football club over the last seven years.”
Jordan was reminded that Southgate had been the most successful England manager since Alf Ramsey during his tenure, but he would not be swayed.
“I understand,” he said. “I understand that argument. I understand it and I know it's moving forward.
“We didn't win anything, so we can follow a long list of people who didn't win anything. What he achieved was to repeatedly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
“I don't think we had that with Ron Greenwood and I don't think we had that with other managers, whether we're talking about Capello or Roy Hodgson.
“I know that argument will be brought up, but I also know, without any prejudice or motivation, that we had draws that people cannot believe, that we have not been more successful as a result of these draws nor have we won anything.
“We had opportunities to win tournaments at home when we won in finals and didn't take advantage. And we also had a massive drop in the level of the international teams we faced.
“So I think he was a great politician for the FA. He was a great message carrier. He was very dignified. Yes, he created a culture that should have been there in the first place.”
But he added: “I don't really think he's a top manager. I don't think so. I think he had a lot of riches in England and I think he had to prepare them and send them.”
“I don't (see him as a candidate for any major position), I certainly don't see him as a top six manager. I know a lot of people and all the people who support him and like him will show up and say whatever they have to. say and that is their opinion and they have the right to it.
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“My view is that Gareth Southgate was very lucky to have got the job as England manager. He did a decent job in terms of morale management, but we missed opportunities. We missed periods of time. We were in three tournaments where we could have achieved something.” out and we didn't do it.
“And I think that the criticism that was leveled at him was sometimes unfair, but I also think that you have to judge people by what they achieve and if you want to judge him for being a participant in the low bar that he previously set for himself.” Sorry, I'm not in that field.
“I don't know how any serious person could suggest that Gareth Southgate can solve the malaise at Manchester United.”
Southgate spent eight years in charge of the Three Lions, leading them to the 2018 World Cup semi-final, the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals and two European Championship finals.
After the heartbreak of Euro 2024, in which England lost once again in the final, it took just a few days for Southgate to announce that he was finally stepping down.
He had declared that it was “time for change and a new chapter.”
And while it appears Southgate intends to have a prolonged absence from any sideline role, he has not ruled out a return to football in a role. outside management.
“I'm lucky that a lot of different opportunities come my way,” he admitted. “The business side of football is really interesting.
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“In my role I dealt with UEFA and FIFA, I had to deal with many different stakeholders. So not only am I determined to be a coach in the future.
“Of course I've had incredible experiences, but having a project that was from the heart, that was from the national team, is going to be difficult to find.”
Southgate's confession came just hours after former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp took on a role in commercial football as Global head of football at Red Bull.
Klopp also stated that the role was more of a mentor, but something that kept him within the industry he loved so much.
Southgate added: “I'm at an age where I want to work with good people.
“When you're younger you probably try harder and are a little more docile. When you are older you realize the importance of collaboration.
“Clubs can only be successful if everything is aligned, across the club.
“I also know that maybe the smartest people sit in the boardrooms and the coaches are a little more expendable than you think when you're there.
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“As a coach you think you are the most important person. “I sat in every boardroom in our country for eight years and realized that you are just a small part of this whole thing.”
In August, it was confirmed that Southgate would become one of UEFA's technical observers for the 2024/25 season.
It is a role that involves analyzing and reviewing matches from the coach's perspective and then producing a report after each match, providing strategic and tactical feedback.
He has already signaled Southgate's intentions to explore different aspects of the football industry in his role, something he appears to intend to continue doing.
He said: “If you ask about club football, it depends on what it is, what role it plays, what it could be.
“I have been lucky enough to work with fantastic players and some of the biggest nights in world football. You have to have excitement, passion to go to work every day.
“For me it is unlikely that it is another national federation. Because, once again, England was for the heart. I initially went there to help English football, not to become the first team manager.
“But the football business, the experiences I've had working in all areas.
“I'm 54 years old and I want to enjoy and be really motivated for the next 10 to 15 years of my life and the most important thing is to give myself time to make good decisions.”
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