Gareth Southgate reveals plans to move away from football completely

After leaving the England position during Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate hinted that he would pursue a career outside of football. Following the Three Lions' defeat by Spain in the 2024 Euro final, Southgate resigned as England's manager. He has been connected to several possible positions since that choice, including Manchester United prior to to Ruben Amorim's appointment. However, he has recently indicated in a LinkedIn post that he is thinking about changing careers.

Southgate wrote, "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. 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.”

The former England head coach further wrote that, "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."

How long was Gareth Southgate the manager of England?

After working with the Under-21 team from 2013 to 2016, Southgate was elevated to the position in 2016 and managed England for an entire span of eight years. Prior to it, he had managed Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009, but if he decides to quit football entirely, that may be his only club position. We'll have to wait and see. Although it's obvious that Southgate hasn't decided, the England squad is moving on from his departure, with Thomas Tuchel expected to take over as manager in 2025.

Other than that, Southgate has faded from the spotlight as England has moved on, first with Lee Carsley as an interim coach and then, starting on January 1, with Thomas Tuchel as a full-time successor.