Southgate recharging after his resignation as England manager has hinted at considering roles outside of football for the first time. In his first interview since stepping down, Southgate reflected on his eight-year tenure and his future options.
The 54-year-old has stayed out of the public eye since leaving his role following England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. Despite the intense criticism from fans, some of whom targeted him with beer cups after the loss, Southgate remains without regrets about the tournament.
Speaking at the BGC Group’s 9/11 charity day, Southgate explained that he needs time to recharge and is open to various opportunities. While he may return to football, he has also expressed interest in exploring roles outside the sport.
“I’ve got plenty of opportunities ahead,” Southgate told Sky News. “That could be in football, but it could also be elsewhere. Right now, I just need time to refresh and recharge before deciding. I think people understand that I need to regain my energy.”
His final days as England manager were marked by frustration. After a 0-0 draw with Slovenia, he openly admitted, “I am the problem,” as fans showed their displeasure. Ex-England striker Gary Lineker even criticized the team’s performance against Denmark, calling it “s—” on his podcast.
Southgate’s post-match remarks against Slovenia raised questions about his future, and despite leading England to the final in Berlin, he chose to resign two days after the loss to Spain.
“It felt like the right time for a change,” Southgate said. “You make decisions with the information you have at the time. I don’t regret anything. We made choices to try and build a winning team.”
Since his departure, Southgate has largely distanced himself from discussions about the national team. Addressing Lineker’s comments, he stated that he had cut himself off from external noise.
“There’s no point in me discussing the team anymore,” he remarked. “It’s time for others to step in and lead the team into its next challenges. It’s important for me to give them the space to do that without my involvement.”
As Southgate recharges and reflects on his future, the possibility of him stepping into a new world beyond football remains a real option.
