Gareth Southgate is a target for Manchester United (Image: BBC Sport)
If Manchester United decides to fire Erik ten Hag at the end of the current campaign, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to name Gareth Southgate as the club’s next manager.
Insisting that his entire focus is on leading England at Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate has downplayed any connections to Manchester United.
This summer, the manager of the Three Lions is a strong favorite to succeed Erik ten Hag as United’s manager. Southgate, 53, is reportedly Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s top choice as United’s co-owner should the team decide to fire Ten Hag after a disastrous season in which they still had a chance to win the FA Cup.
Although Southgate’s contract expires in December, the Football Association wants to extend his tenure, which started in late 2016, for the 53-year-old. United’s appointment would have to wait until after the June and July European Championship, where England is one of the favorites to win the competition for the first time.
“There will always be speculation about managers, because if you lose a couple of games, you’re in trouble – you win a couple of games and it is a different agenda,” Southgate said in a recent interview with BBC Sport in response to the links to United.
However, I see Euro 2024 as a fantastic opportunity. We’re excited about the upcoming competition. My main concern is how we can advance further than we did in the previous Euros, where Italy defeated England on penalties in the championship game.”
Although he is currently on gardening leave at Newcastle, the former Middlesbrough manager has collaborated extensively with former FA chief Dan Ashworth, who is United’s top choice to become their new sporting director. Insisting that the speculation about his future won’t divert attention from the Euros, Southgate continued, saying, “Well, for me, it’s not an issue and never has been.”
“I have to ensure that England has a successful tournament, and that requires a lot of work. Everyone would probably assume that’s where I should concentrate.”
His remarks follow the allegations made by former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer that a current United player told him he would be named the team’s next manager: Southgate. Thomas Tuchel, the departing manager of Bayern Munich, has also been connected to the role.
Although his Dutch colleague Louis van Gaal was fired by United eight years ago, shortly after winning the FA Cup final and missing out on the Champions League, Ten Hag feels that it would be “common sense” to give him a third season in charge. Ten Hag stated on Friday, “I believe they (the United hierarchy) have common sense.”
Gareth Southgate’s contract with the FA expires in December ( Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
“They notice that we use 13 partnerships at center halves, that you have 32 different backlines, and that you lose eight center backs. They understand that our lack of a left full-back and numerous injuries will negatively affect our performance.
“Obviously, we are not happy, but we are aware of the reason for our current ranking underperformance, which is the injuries. We are thrilled to be here because the FA Cup final is very important and we are still fighting. It may still stand out as this season’s high point.
“Yet, we are still fighting, and we are thrilled to be here because the FA Cup final is very important. It may still stand out as this season’s high point. Naturally, we are unhappy, but we are aware of the reason—namely, the injuries—for our current underperformance in the rankings.
“I am a realistic person and I see this when I make this analysis and no team will perform when you have so many injuries in key areas.”
