‘Hope for Erik ten Hag’: Gareth Southgate confirms new job plans

Former England boss Gareth Southgate has revealed his plans to take on a new job and when football lovers should be expecting him back on the dugout.

Southgate spent over seven years as England manager and eventually left his role after the Three Lions were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the final of last summer’s European Championships.

Ever since he step down as England manager, Southgate has continued to be linked with Manchester United with reports claiming he’ll replace Erik ten Hag.

However, the former Middlesbrough boss has quashed any talk of an imminent return to the dugout.

“I am enjoying my life so there is no rush,” Southgate told the European Club Association’s general assembly on Thursday, as quoted by Reuters. “For 11 years I committed fully to the national federation. I won’t coach in the next year for sure. I am certain of that. When you come out of a big role you need to give your body time, your mind time.”

The 54-year-old also distanced himself from taking over a different national team at any point in the future. “It is unlikely to be another national federation,” Southgate explained. “England was from the heart.”

When quizzed on a potential move back to club football, Southgate said that it would be “depending on what role that is”.

He added: “I have been fortunate to have worked with fantastic players. You got to have excitement, passion to go to work every day.”

Southgate has not coached a football club since getting sacked by Middlesbrough in 2009 following the club’s Premier League relegation.

Erik ten Hag has been under the spotlight over Manchester United’s performances this season and it’s left to see if Southgate will be considered if the former Ajax manager is sacked.