Video: Gareth Southgate’s response when asked about becoming Man United boss | OneFootball

Former England boss Sir Gareth Southgate issued a telling response when directly questioned about whether he wants the Manchester United job.

Southgate linked to United hot seat

Southgate has been repeatedly linked with the United job since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS took over football operations.

He was initially targeted as Erik ten Hag’s replacement before the club appointed Ruben Amorim from Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.

Earlier this season, while pressure was mounting on Amorim, Southgate’s name popped up once again as a likely successor.

There were even rumours that the 55-year-old coach had held talks with Ratcliffe, although these claims were subsequently denied.

A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Southgate would only accept the job if it came with the guarantee that he would be afforded a minimum of four years to steady the ship and transform the Red Devils into a competitive outfit once more.

However, over the past few weeks, Amorim has set United on a positive trajectory, with the team currently on a four-match unbeaten streak. As a result, speculation linking Southgate to the position has quietened down.

In a round of interviews on Monday morning to promote his new book, Southgate was asked about returning to football management by potentially taking over the reins at United.

Southgate reveals stance on United role

Southgate said on BBC Radio  5 Live, “I’m reflecting a lot on what I might do next, and it’s not certain in my head that I stay in football.”

Asked what job he’d re-enter football management for, he answered, “I haven’t seen it yet.”

Pressed further on whether United would be a tempting proposition, he remarked with a huge smile, “Well, I think they’ve got a manager and he seems to be doing pretty well at the moment.”

When it was put to him that his answer wasn’t an outright no, Southgate stated, “Well, it’s not an outright yes that’s for certain.”

He added, “With the national team, we had a greater purpose. I went to the Football Association initially to improve youth football, to improve how English players were viewed around the world and to try to improve the scope for English coaches.”

“I end up in the [England] manager’s job, which wasn’t the intention and so I stumble into that, we have a good few years and people assume you want to stay in football. But I’m very passionate about this work around young men. I’m not desperate to stay in football. I’ve had 37 years in football, which is amazing.”

In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Southgate noted that a return to football management is not completely off the cards.

“Well, you can never say never because I’ve just seen Martin O’Neill at his age [73 years old] go to Celtic. But it’s not something that’s high on my agenda at the moment, I’m enjoying the work around leadership, I’m enjoying my work with young people, very determined to try and make a difference there.”

“So no, I’m very relaxed about not being in football at the moment.”

United are next in action on Saturday when they face Tottenham Hotspur at home.

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