(Football news) In order to lead the Three Lions in Euro 2024, which takes place in Germany starting in mid-June, Southgate is presently getting ready.
Nonetheless, since his contract is set to expire at the end of 2024, discussion of interest in a manager who has advanced to both the World Cup semifinal and the Euro 2020 final is understandable.
The 53-year-old had just recently been associated with a general return to domestic football, and taking over a Premier League team would be a feasible next step.
Last week, though, reports emerged that Man United were admirers of Southgate and had already instigated discussions with his entourage over a potential switch to Old Trafford after the end of the European Championship.
Those rumours have intensified with United enduring a dismal end to the top-flight campaign, Erik ten Hag’s side at real risk of missing out on European qualification.
Furthermore, it has widely been claimed that the Dutchman is highly likely to be removed from his position in the dugout, regardless of whether United are able to defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The topic of Man United came up in an interview with BBC Sport, yet Southgate would not be lulled into playing anything other than a straight bat when quizzed on the speculation.
He said: “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.
“But for me, it [Euro 2024] is a brilliant opportunity. We’re looking forward to the tournament. My focus is on how do we go a step further than we went in the last Euros [when they were beaten on penalties in the final by Italy.”
On his own situation, he added: “Well, for me, it’s not an issue and never has been. I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there’s enough work involved in that. I think everybody would expect that’s where my focus should be.”
Theoretically, Southgate appears to be an ideal successor to Ten Hag and seems to be placed highly on the shortlist of minority United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. That said, it feels that the timing is not right for either party, with United needing to press ahead with plans for a major rebuild as soon as the season reaches a conclusion.
It’s not shocking that Southgate is sticking to his guns because he wants to concentrate on England and might not be able to step down from his post until the middle of July.
It makes sense that Southgate, who has been in command of the national team since September 2016, would desire a vacation before taking on the task of reviving one of the largest teams in the world.
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