Former England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed his plans for the future after leaving his post at the Three Lions following the European Championships in July.
Southgate, 54, resigned as national team manager after England lost 2-1 to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
He spent eight years at the helm and led the Three Lions to their first two major tournament finals since the country’s 1966 World Cup triumph.
After his sacking, Southgate kept quiet as the English Football Association (FA) steered England in a new direction under interim head coach Lee Carsley.
However, the former manager has spoken out for the first time since his resignation and has not ruled out a return to the dugout.
Gareth Southgate has spoken out for the first time since stepping down as England manager
Southgate has said he has ‘lots of options’ and is ‘open-minded’ about his future
Southgate made the decision to step down after England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024
“I have a lot of opportunities, I’m open to whatever comes,” Southgate told Sky News. “That could be in football, that could be outside of football.
“I’m just going to take some time, refresh myself, recharge and then move on. I think people know at this point that I need to get my energy back.
“I want to enjoy my life, I’m not going to rush into anything. I want to make sure I make good decisions.”
The new era for England under Carsley has started strongly, with the Three Lions winning 2-0 against both Ireland and Finland in the interim manager’s first two games in charge.
After the Three Lions’ comfortable victory over the Finns at Wembley, Southgate was quizzed about the team he has managed for almost a decade.
However, the 54-year-old wants Carsley and co to do their job. ‘There’s no point in me talking about the team now,’ he added.
“It’s up to me to let other people take over, to give them the space to lead the team to the next challenges. There’s no point in me getting involved in something like that.”
Southgate made the decision to step down from his duties at the Three Lions just two days after the team’s latest defeat in Berlin.
Lee Carsley took over Southgate’s interim team and has so far recorded two wins from two games.
“I’m going to refresh myself, recharge and then move on”
Former England manager Gareth Southgate says he is ‘open-minded’ about what happens next in his career and won’t make ‘hasty’ decisions
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 11, 2024
“I’m going to refresh myself, recharge and then move on”
In a statement confirming his decision in July, he wrote: ‘As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for and manage England. It has meant everything to me and I have done everything I can to make it happen.
“But it’s time for a change, and a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my last game as England manager.
‘I joined the FA in 2011 determined to improve English football. During that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who I would like to sincerely thank.
‘I couldn’t have had anyone better beside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation and has been immense.
‘I have had the privilege of managing a great group of players in 102 games, every single one of whom has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirt, and has been a credit to their country in so many ways.
‘The squad we have taken to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them and hope we can get behind the players and team at St George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football and understand the power of football to bring about positive change.
Former Three Lions boss has ‘no regrets’ about his decision to leave after eight years
Southgate arrived in 2016 (left) and led England to two European Championship finals
‘A special thanks goes to the backroom staff who have supported the players and me relentlessly over the last eight years. Their hard work and dedication have inspired me every day and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant “team behind the team”.
‘We have the best fans in the world and their support means the world to me. I am an England fan and always will be. I look forward to watching and celebrating the players creating more special memories and uniting and inspiring the nation in the way we know they can.
“Thank you, England – for everything.”
And now that he looks back on his time at the infamous top, he still believes he made the right decision by stepping away from international management.
“I don’t think you can have any regrets. We made decisions with the information we had at the time to try and produce a winning team.”
Former England manager wants Lee Carsley and his staff to be able to do their job
Southgate took charge of England in a similar manner to Carsley – on an interim basis. However, he took the job after a turbulent period in English football, which saw former Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce leave the role by mutual consent after just 67 days in 2016.
The Englishman was in charge of 102 matches, of which he won 64, drew 20 and lost only 18.
Mail Sport reported that ITV will offer Southgate a role as a commentator, but it appears the former England manager is still waiting to make a decision.