Gareth Southgate’s chances of landing the Manchester United job have taken a significant boost amid reports of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s long-term priorities.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS team want a manager who can oversee a project and their trophy record or short-term credentials are less important, as per The Telegraph.
This would obviously benefit Southgate, who has overseen a change of style and attitude at England since 2016 and even before that with the Under-21s.
The Daily Star went as far as reporting that he is Ratcliffe’s number one target in March.
Of course, the two major caveats to all this are that England want Southgate to stay and Erik ten Hag remains in post at Old Trafford – even if his immediate future is still uncertain heading into the summer.
Gareth Southgate’s prospects of receiving an offer from Man United have received a boost
Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly wants a long-term project builder – the sort of coach Southgate is
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Southgate’s contract with England runs until December this year and the FA want to extend it until after the 2026 World Cup.
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He hinted in February that he could stay beyond Euro 2024 and will only make up his mind once the tournament is done.
England’s performance in Germany is likely to be a factor in his future.
The 53-year-old has called talk of him replacing Ten Hag disrespectful.
He said in March: ‘My focus is the European Championship. If we did something, a contract here (with England) before, everybody would be saying, “Why are you signing a contract before a Euros where you’ve got to prove yourself?”
‘I’m certainly not going to speak to anybody else ahead of that. I never have. I’ve been here eight years in the job. I wouldn’t entertain speaking to anybody else when I’m in a job.
‘There are two things from my point of view. One is that I’m the England manager. I’ve got one job: to try to deliver a European Championship. Clearly, before that, two important games this week.
‘The second thing is United have a manager. It’s always completely disrespectful when there’s any speculation about a manager that’s in place.
Erik ten Hag remains in post and a decision will be made on him following the FA Cup final
Southgate could yet sign a contract extension with England to take him to the 2026 World Cup
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‘I’m president of the LMA (League Managers Association) so I don’t have any time for that sort of thing really.’
Mail Sport understands that there are no plans to sack Ten Hag before the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25.
There is still the possibility that the Dutchman will be given a third season in charge and the chance to prove himself in a refreshed footballing structure under Ratcliffe.
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel issued a subtle come-and-get-me plea on Wednesday when he admitted that he ‘loved’ managing in England.
‘It is no secret that I loved it at Chelsea, I loved it in England, and I loved it in the Premier League for sure. It was a very, very special time in England, and I remember it well,’ he told TNT Sports.
