Liverpool asked to consider Gareth Southgate this summer amid Man United links

Ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has asked his former club to consider Gareth Southgate amid links with Manchester United’s job position.

Gareth Southgate has reportedly cropped up as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS‘ first-choice candidate to take over from Erik ten Hag this summer should they choose to fire the Dutchman from Manchester United.

Southgate has done well to harmonise the England team in the last six years after previous managers failed to make the best use of the talent available. However, he has been criticised for still failing to win enough games against other big nations, most recently being knocked out by France during the 2022 World Cup.

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With rumours circulating that Southgate might step down from his duties as England boss following the conclusion of EURO 2024, former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has advised his former club to consider Southgate following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.

“If he’s available in the summer, then you’ve got to look at all the options,” Johnson told BetFred when asked whether Liverpool should consider bringing Southgate in at Anfield this summer.

“He’s done a brilliant job with England, so there’s no reason why he can’t be successful with a club like Liverpool as he’d be dealing with a similar standard of players. You’d need to have the chat because you can’t just dismiss him if he’s available.”

Speaking further, Johnson was asked whether he believes Southgate could be successful as manager of United – to which his reply was less than assuring.

“It’s an awkward one to talk about because you don’t want to go into a major tournament speculating about whether England’s manager is going elsewhere,” he said. “You also don’t want to make assumptions over Erik ten Hag’s future too because he’s still the manager of Manchester United, but, unfortunately that’s what happens, so we’re going to do it.

“There have been a number of good, successful managers that have gone into the job at Manchester United and have struggled, so it wouldn’t be guaranteed success for Gareth if he was to take the job. 

“Manchester United are a huge club, with great support and on paper, they have a very good squad too. A top manager like Gareth could come in, get rid of a lot of the deadwood, provide that team with a good backbone and make Manchester United successful again, however, there’s been a lot of good managers that have taken that job in recent years and have failed.”