Gareth Southgate has cast doubt on any return to Premier League management, admitting that his relationship with football changed significantly towards the end of his time as England manager.
The former Three Lions boss has been out of management since stepping down after Euro 2024, where England suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final. Despite his previous links with several top-flight jobs, including Manchester United, Southgate has indicated that returning to the dugout is not part of his immediate plans.
Speaking on The Amol Rajan Connection, the 56-year-old made it clear that he cannot currently see himself taking charge of a Premier League club, suggesting that the demands of his previous role had taken a toll on his enjoyment of the game.
“I don’t see a scenario where I do that. Towards the end of my time with England, I stopped enjoying, at the very least for a period, the wins keep you going.
“By the end, I didn’t even enjoy the wins for any longer than a couple of minutes. So, I’ve hardly watched football.
“I went to the FA Cup final to see my team, Crystal Palace, win their first trophy. I’ve not been to a football ground since. So my sort of desire to be involved in football has changed.”
Southgate’s comments offer a glimpse into his mindset following eight years in charge of England, a period that brought renewed belief to the national team but ended without the major international trophy he had pursued.
Under his leadership, England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup before finishing as runners-up at Euro 2020. The Three Lions also progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and reached a second consecutive European Championship final in Germany in 2024.
However, the disappointment of losing another major final appears to have coincided with a period of reflection for the former Middlesbrough manager. His admission that even victories had stopped providing lasting satisfaction suggests that a return to the intense environment of Premier League management would require a significant change in circumstances.
Southgate’s name has featured in discussions surrounding managerial vacancies at leading English clubs, particularly Manchester United, but speculation has not translated into an appointment. His latest remarks indicate that he is not actively pursuing a return to the touchline.
His last club management role came at Middlesbrough, where he spent three years before leaving in 2009. Since then, his coaching career has been defined by international football, first with England’s Under-21 side and subsequently with the senior national team.
For now, Southgate appears content to remain away from the pressures of management. Although he has not announced a permanent retirement from coaching, his comments suggest that any future return would depend on whether his desire to work in football changes.
With no immediate comeback in sight, the former England manager has made his position clear: the Premier League is not currently calling him back.
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