Former England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed his plans for the future after leaving his post at the Three Lions following the European Championship in July.
Southgate, 54, resigned from his role as the national team boss following England’s devastating 2-1 defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
He spent eight years at the helm and guided the Three Lions to their first two major tournament finals since the country’s World Cup triumph in 1966.
Following his resignation, Southgate has remained quiet as the FA take England in a new direction under interim head coach Lee Carsley.
However, the former manager has now spoken out for the first time since stepping down and has not ruled out a return to the dugout.
Gareth Southagte has spoken out for the first time since stepping down as England manager
Southgate has said he has ‘lots of opportunities’ and is ‘open-minded’ regarding his future
‘I’ve got lots of opportunities, I’m very open-minded to what’s next,’ Southgate told Sky News. ‘That might be in football, that might be outside of football.
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‘I’m just going to take some time, refresh, recharge, and go from there. I think at the moment people know that I need to get my energy back.
‘I am intent on enjoying my life, I am not going to rush into anything. I want to make sure that I make good decisions.’
England’s new era under Carsley has started strongly, with the Three Lions running out 2-0 winners against both Ireland and Finland in the interim coach’s first two matches.
Following the Three Lions’ comfortable win over the Finnish at Wembley, Southgate was questioned about the team he took control of for nearly a decade.
However, the 54-year-old wants to let Carsley and Co do their jobs. ‘There’s no point in me talking about the team now,’ he added.
‘It’s for me to let other people take over, to give them the space to go and take the team on to the next challenges. There’s no point in me getting involved in anything like that.’
Southgate took the decision to step down from his duties with the Three Lions just two days after the team’s final defeat in Berlin.
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 England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.
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‘But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager.
‘I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.
‘I could not have had anyone better alongside 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 leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.
‘The squad we took 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 I hope we get behind the players and the team at St. George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football, and understand the power football has to drive positive change.
The former Three Lions boss has ‘no regrets’ over his decision to leave after eight years
Southgate arrived in 2016 (left) and led England to two European Championship finals
‘My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment 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 has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be. I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.
‘Thank you, England – for everything.’
And now reflecting on his time in the hot seat, he still believes he made the correct decision to step away from international management.
‘I don’t think you can have regrets. We made decisions with the information we had at the time to try and produce a winning team.’
The former England boss wants to allow Lee Carsley and his backroom staff top do their jobs
Southgate took charge of England in a similar fashion to Carsley – on an Interim basis. However, he assumed the position after a turbulent era of English football, in which fellow former Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce left the role by mutual consent after just 67 days, in 2016.
The Englishman was in charge for 102 matches, winning 64 of those, drawing 20, and losing just 18.
Mail Sport revealed that ITV will offer Southgate a punditry role, but it seems the former England boss is still biding his time before making a decision.
