(Football news) With the things England has accomplished, Southgate’s reputation has grown since his mixed tenure with Middlesbrough at the beginning of his time in the dugout.

When Southgate took over as manager of the Three Lions, he led the country to a World Cup semifinal in 2018 and a final in Euro 2020; the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal was a bust.

Despite this, England easily qualified for Euro 2024 in a group that included Italy, and they are widely expected to win the competition in Germany. 

However, recent developments at Manchester United have led to the 53-year-old allegedly being shortlisted as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag at the end of the season.

As it stands, it is unclear whether new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will retain the services of the Dutchman, who may require Champions League qualification or an FA Cup trophy to remain at the helm.

Ratcliffe is also keen to bring in Dan Ashworth, who holds a strong relationship with Southgate, as a sporting director with Ashworth being placed on gardening leave by Newcastle United.

At a press conference ahead of Saturday’s friendly with Brazil, Southgate was naturally questioned on his links with United, but the Englishman told reporters that he would not be entertaining any other jobs until after Euro 2024 at the earliest.

He said: “I think I’ve answered this every time I’ve sat with you. My focus is the European Championship. If we did something, a contract here [with England] before, everybody would be saying, ‘Why are you signing a contract before a Euros where you’ve got to prove yourself’.

“I’m certainly not going to speak to anybody else ahead of that. I never have. I’ve been here eight years in the job. I wouldn’t entertain speaking to anybody else when I’m in a job.”

Southgate added that the speculation is “disrespectful” to Ten Hag, saying: “Manchester Utd have a manager. It’s always completely disrespectful when there’s any speculation about a manager that’s in place.

“I’m president of the LMA (League Managers Association) so I don’t have any time for that sort of thing really.”

There is a contract in place for Southgate to lead England until the end of the year, though based on how the team performs in Germany during the summer, choices might be made sooner.

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