Gareth Southgate touted for Premier League manager's job as England contract explained

Gareth Southgate is being tipped to land a job in the Premier League following England’s Euro 2024 final misery. The Three Lions lost 2-1 to Spain in agonising fashion, conceding a late Mikel Oyarzabal goal just a few minutes after Cole Palmer had cancelled out Nico Williams’ opener.

The result sees Spain crowned champions of Europe for a record fourth time, while England are saddled with the embarrassment of becoming the first team to lose back-to-back Euros finals, having been beaten on penalties by Italy at the Euro 2020 showpiece.

It also leaves Southgate at a pivotal juncture. With four major tournaments under his belt, voices are clamouring for him to make way for fresh leadership. Nevertheless, The FA are reportedly keen to keep the 53-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the year. Although, they might not be the only suitors vying for his services.

Earlier in the year, Southgate was reportedly in Manchester United’s crosshairs, with the club’s new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, considering the England boss as a replacement for Erik ten Hag. And according to finance expert Dr Rob Wilson, a move to a Premier League club could be on the cards for him, particularly after leading England to two finals in three tournaments.

“Reaching a second consecutive European Championship final will certainly have put Southgate in the shop window for a potential Premier League job,” Wilson told The Mirror, via Saxo. “Although I think he is probably more likely to be appointed to a continental European team.”

That said, Wilson firmly believes that Southgate’s skills are best suited on the international stage, and he reckons The FA would be “silly” not to tie him down to another contract. “I actually think he is more suited to national team management rather than club management, the FA would be silly not to renegotiate his contract to try and take them through to the World Cup finals,” he added. “Certainly he has increased, if not at the least maintained, his wage potential.”

Southgate has been considering his future as England manager for some time. After the team’s exit from the 2022 World Cup, he took a couple of weeks to reflect before deciding to stay on, but only committed until Euro 2024, suggesting a plan to step down after the tournament.

If that happens, names like Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Eddie Howe have surfaced as possible successors. Potter and Pochettino are currently without clubs after parting ways with Chelsea in April 2023 and May 2024 respectively, while Howe is currently manager of Newcastle United.

Other high-profile managers such as Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel have also been linked with the position. Both German tacticians are seeking new challenges following their respective departures from Liverpool and Bayern Munich in May.

As for Southgate, a move to Old Trafford could still be on the cards in the future despite the fact Ten Hag recently extended his contract. The Red Devils initially sought a replacement for the Dutchman at the end of the season before making a U-turn, and such an apparant lack of immediate faith in the manager suggests the axe could swing if United make a sluggish start to next season.