Gareth Southgate hints at major career change after managing England with come-and-get me-plea on LinkedIn
GARETH SOUTHGATE has revealed he is considering a job away from coaching in the wake of his England departure.
The 54-year-old stepped down from his job as Three Lions manager following the Euro 2024 final in July.
Lee Carsley subsequently took over on an interim basis before Thomas Tuchel was announced as his permanent successor last month.
Southgate, meanwhile, has been enjoying some time away from the game.
In September he revealed that he will not rush back into work following his 10-year spell with England.
The ex-defender admitted: “I’ve got lots of opportunities, I’m very open-minded to what’s next. That might be in football, that might be outside of football.
“I’m just going to take some time, refresh, recharge and go from there. I think at the moment people know that I need to get my energy back.”
But now Southgate has given another update on his future – and it could involve a step away from coaching.
In a post on LinkedIN, the ex-England boss wrote: “After eight years serving in one of the highest profile roles in World Football, I’m consciously taking time to reflect on what I lived through and thinking deeply about what comes next.
“Looking back there are matches and moments I will remember for the rest of my life. Coaching top players was a challenge that pushed me to operate at the very highest level.
“The weight of the role with the unique responsibility it carried was something few ever get to experience.
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“Perhaps the hardest thing of all to replicate though, is going to be the sense of purpose.”
“Every morning I drove through the gates of St George’s Park, I had a responsibility to improve English football. Whenever the National Anthem played pre-game, I was representing 50 million people, their hopes and dreams.
“When I travelled, or spoke publicly I had a duty to be an ambassador for my country. Even in the most difficult moments, whether after heartbreaking defeats or during tense media scrutiny I was acutely aware of the need to stand with dignity and demonstrate strong leadership.
“This was not only for the players and staff beside me but also for the millions of young people watching, who might find inspiration and hope in what we do.
“This higher purpose kept me on track, gave me structure, made my life more fulfilling and is going to be extremely difficult to replicate.
“It’s why I’m not limiting my future options to remaining as a football coach.”
He went on to say: “I’m comfortable with this period of ‘exploration’ and not having all the answers. I’m following the advice I would give to any young person, without a clear career vision.
“Keep learning, build or explore your network, seek different life experiences and when you decide what’s next, there will be no right or wrong, just one path or another.
“For now, I’m finding my required purpose within all that being able to dial up the days supporting my chosen charities.”
Southgate’s former England team-mate Paul Gascoigne tipped him or Alan Shearer to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host earlier this month.
He said: “With Lineker quitting Match of the Day, I wonder if Shearer is going to take over, or Southgate.
“I reckon Shearer will take over because he loves a bit of money. He’s so tight he only cries from one eye!
“So for me it’s between Shearer and Southgate.”