Gareth Southgate breaks silence after no inclusion in Man United job shortlist

Links between Gareth Southgate and Manchester United have died down in the last month, with Erik ten Hag’s job still in jeopardy.

With INEOS conducting a “season review” to decide whether to continue with Erik ten Hag this coming campaign, there is much speculation about who could be Manchester United‘s next manager.

The Red Devils’ coaching job has been linked to many names, such as Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochttino, Thomas Frank, and Roberto de Zerbi. Earlier this year, England manager Gareth Southgate was heavily linked with the job.

Read More: Wayne Rooney explains his biggest Man United hope amid Erik ten Hag uncertainty

However, the links between United and Southgate have died down in the last month. The former Middlesbrough manager’s name has not appeared on any reported shortlists for the position, seemingly indicating that he is no longer a front-runner for the position.

Southgate has always been coy about his future plans, but in light of this, he has now explained that he is only thinking about his short-term future with England. His current contract with the FA is set to expire at the end of this year, but they are likely to push for an extension.

“When I was 23 as a player, I would’ve been anxious about that,” Southgate told GQ. “When I was 37 as a young manager, I’d have been anxious about that.

“But I’m 53 now and am totally relaxed about it because life will go on whatever happens. I also don’t think it would be right to make a decision before a tournament. I remember Fabio [Capello] signing a new contract before [World Cup 2010], and everybody said, ‘What the bloody hell are they doing? He should be proving himself in the tournament’.

“If I was two years into the job, then perhaps I would feel differently. But we’re eight years in, and for me, all of my focus is on one thing: how do I get this team to win?”