Gareth Southgate, former England manager, has hinted at a possible return to club football but emphasized he’s in no rush, downplaying speculation linking him to Manchester United while promoting his new book, Dear England: Lessons in Leadership.

The 55-year-old has been out of management since England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, marking 16 months of reflection and recalibration.

In interviews on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Breakfast, Southgate acknowledged the uncertainty of his next steps. “I’m reflecting a lot on what I might do next, and it’s not certain in my head that I stay in football,” he said. When asked about the Manchester United job—amid rumors fueled by his past rapport with Ineos chief Sir Dave Brailsford—Southgate responded with a smile: “They’ve got a manager and he seems to be doing pretty well at the moment.” Pressed further, he added, “It’s not an outright yes, that’s for certain.”

United’s current manager, Ruben Amorim, has steadied the club after a rocky start, and insiders have dismissed the Southgate talk as “flattery.” Still, pundits like Gary Neville have floated Southgate as a “perfect fit” given his tactical discipline and leadership style.

Southgate, knighted in 2024, steered England to two consecutive European Championship finals and deep World Cup runs during his eight-year tenure. His new book explores leadership lessons drawn from that journey, and he’s expressed growing interest in mentoring young men and contributing to broader societal change. “I’m not desperate to stay in football,” he said. “I’m enjoying leadership and making a difference.”

While he hasn’t ruled out a return—citing Martin O’Neill’s late-career stint at Celtic as an example—Southgate admitted that transitioning to club management after leading a national team “won’t be easy.” The England role, he noted, offered “greater purpose” through youth reform and policy influence, unlike the relentless pace of club football.

As speculation continues, Southgate appears content exploring new horizons, with football’s call lingering but no longer defining his next move.