- Southgate says he wants to find the ‘higher purpose’ he had managing England
- It is a rare move for an ex-England boss to not take another role in football
- Liverpool correspondent LEWIS STEELE tells all on bombshell chat with Mo Salah – LISTEN NOW to It’s All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Gareth Southgate has indicated he may never return to football management after leaving his job as England manager in the summer.
The 54-year-old spent eight years in charge of the national team before stepping down after leading his side to the Euro 2024 final in the summer.
In October, Southgate said he was planning to take a year’s hiatus from management before considering a return to football.
But posting on social media platform LinkedIn, the coach hinted he may be ready to quit the game for a different career path.
‘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,’ Southgate wrote in a post on LinkedIn.
‘The weight of the role with the unique responsibility it carried was something few ever get to experience. Perhaps the hardest thing of all to replicate, though, is going to be the sense of purpose.
Gareth Southgate says his next job could be outside of football after leaving England
He stepped down from the Three Lions in July after losing his second Euros final with the side
‘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.
‘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.
‘I’m not the only 50-something contemplating a change of direction.’
Southgate, 54, left the England job in July after eight years and four major tournaments, reaching two European finals but falling short to Italy and Spain.
Among other charity work, Southgate is a Goodwill Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and is an ambassador for children’s hospice Martin House in Boston Spa.
Stepping out of the game entirely after managing England is certainly a rare move.
It is rare for a manager to leave football without taking another job after the England one
All the same, Southgate is ‘contemplating a change of direction’ to find fulfilment in his work
You have to go back to Roy Greenwood in 1982 to find a former England boss who decides to leave football management behind – and even he switched to punditry.
All of the 11 permanent managers to have left since, besides Southgate, have gone on to take another management job in the game.
However, it should not come completely as a surprise. Speaking at the European Club Association Assembly in October, he said he would at least be taking a break to contemplate his options.
‘I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that,’ he said.
‘I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time.’
