Gareth Southgate has ended the speculation surrounding his potential move to Manchester United and shared his thoughts on Erik ten Hag’s job at Old Trafford. The English national team manager, Gareth Southgate, is considered the frontrunner to lead Manchester United next season if HLV Erik Ten Hag is dismissed by the club’s co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. However, Gareth Southgate has now made it clear whether he will make the switch to Old Trafford or not.
At this moment, Gareth Southgate has ruled himself out of contention for the Manchester United managerial role. He remains committed to his position as the coach of the English national team and has stated that he will not engage in discussions with any clubs until after Euro 2024.Gareth Southgate believes that discussing the possibility of managing Manchester United at this time would lack respect towards Erik Ten Hag. This means that Manchester United will have to wait until mid-July if they want to secure Southgate’s services. Although Southgate has become the top target for Manchester United if they part ways with Ten Hag, his comments are aimed at easing the situation so that he can focus on leading England to success in Euro 2024 this summer.
Gareth Southgate made his stance clear before the friendly match between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium, stating, “I can assure you that I won’t be engaging in any conversations with anyone else. I have never done so in the past, as I have been dedicated to my current role for eight years. Therefore, I don’t know if that adequately answers your question while I am on duty.”
His primary focus lies on the European championship, and he wants to avoid any distractions. Southgate explained, “If we were to sign a contract elsewhere before the tournament, people would question why I committed to another team before Euro 2024, where I need to prove myself.”
Furthermore, Gareth Southgate emphasized his commitment to the “manager’s code,” expressing that he has no intention of undermining Erik Ten Hag while the Dutch coach is still working at Old Trafford.
In addition, Southgate stated, “From my perspective, there are two important factors to consider. Firstly, I am fully dedicated to my role as the coach of the English national team, and my primary objective is to bring home the European championship. Secondly, Manchester United already has a manager in place. I believe it is entirely disrespectful to engage in speculation about the managerial position. As the chairman of the LMA, I simply do not have the time for such matters.”
The Football Association (FA) is keen on securing Gareth Southgate’s services beyond his current contract, which expires in December and is worth £3 million per year. However, Southgate has made it clear that he will postpone any discussions about his future until after Euro 2024. He may consider the opportunity to lead England in the World Cup and would only leave the national team for a prominent club.
According to Sky Sports, Manchester United has yet to make a decision regarding Erik Ten Hag’s future. The club is continuing to plan for the upcoming season under the guidance of the Dutch coach. When asked about Gareth Southgate’s potential move to Manchester United, Manchester City defender John Stones replied, “Personally, I would like Gareth Southgate to stay with the England national team. However, it would be disrespectful to discuss a team and its manager when information is unexpectedly leaked.”