Southgate gives ‘for sure’ response to Ten Hag rumours

Robin Bairner

• 10 Oct 2024 10:50 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for former England manager Gareth Southgate, who has broken his silence of the prospect of replacing Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout.

Southgate is one of numerous candidates who have been lined up by Man Utd owners Ineos to potentially take over from Ten Hag, who has overseen the poorest start to a Premier League season ever by the giants.

Although the Red Devils ownership are yet to comment on the future of the former Ajax boss, there is a sense that they are not ready to pull the trigger on the incumbent, despite a run of five games without a victory. A six-hour board meeting during the international break has seemingly failed to resolve the impasse.

READ MORE: How Man Utd would line up under Gareth Southgate

Southgate is certainly not exerting pressure on Man Utd’s ownership group and speaking at the European Club Association (ECA) General Assembly in Athens, he refuted claims that he is ready to jump at the chance of managing the Old Trafford side.

“I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that. 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,” Southgate said.

“I am fortunate there are lots of opportunities presenting themselves.”

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Southgate is among the favourites to take over from Ten Hag but finds himself behind both Thomas Tuchel and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is currently assistant to his compatriot, in the race to become the next Man Utd boss.

INEOS, which owns a sizeable stake in the club and is in control of the sporting side of the business, is thought to be pushing for the former England boss, who oversaw runs to two European Championship finals as well as to fourth at the 2018 World Cup, to become Ten Hag’s replacement.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe considered Southgate to be his No.1 choice to replace Ten Hag had the Dutchman been fired in the summer, and these rumours continue to rumble on.