Gareth Southgate emerges as the leading candidate for the Manchester United job if Erik ten Hag is sacked
Gareth Southgate will be one of the leading candidates to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United if the Dutchman is sacked, talkSPORT understands.
Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford remains open to debate and United look almost certain to miss out on Champions League qualification.
England manager Southgate is highly regarded by United new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group.
Crucially, Southgate also has a key ally in Incoming director of football Dan Ashworth of their time working together at the FA.
Southgate's contract with the FA expires this year, however, there has been no indication as to whether he will remain as England manager or not.
Ten Hag is under contract until the end of next season and sources say Ratcliffe has given him no indication that his job is under imminent threat.
The former Ajax boss still has a chance to become the first United manager to win titles in his first two seasons in charge after Sunday's incredible victory. 4-3 victory in the FA Cup quarter-finals after extra time about their archrival Liverpool.
However, Man United's league form leaves a lot to be desired.
The Red Devils currently occupy sixth position in the Premier League standings, nine points off the top four.
While Ten Hag's side have a game in hand against fourth-placed Aston Villa, there is plenty of work to do if they are to qualify for next season's Champions League.
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Southgate has been in charge of the England team since November 2016, and was previously the manager of the under-21 team.
He has been one of the most successful England coaches in history.
Southgate led England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the first time the Three Lions had reached the quarter-finals of a major tournament since he himself participated as a player in Euro '96.
He then guided England to the final of a major tournament for the first time in 55 years at Euro 2020, when they suffered an agonizing penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the final.
In the 2022 World Cup, England was eliminated in the quarterfinals by France.
They go into this summer's Euros in Germany as one of the favorites having made it through qualification, and it could well become Southgate's final tournament as he contemplates his return to club football.
His only experience in club management was at Middlesbrough.
Southgate spent three seasons as Boro boss, taking over in the summer of 2016.
He took them to 12th in the Premier League in his first season and 13th in his second season.
But they were relegated to the Championship in 2008/09, and Southgate was sacked in October 2009.
