Experienced former international boss rejects Manchester United interest

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 9:11 PM ET

Gareth Southgate distances himself from the Manchester United job

Manchester United now have to think about the future of their manager, Ruben Amorim, after a consistent run of poor results. They are reportedly shortlisting several candidates to replace the Portuguese manager, and former English manager Gareth Southgate is one of them. United value his track record with the national team and the stability that he provided to the side. However, the Daily Mirror has reported that the 55-year-old will reject a chance to manage the Red Devils.

The report goes on to reveal that the former English manager has no interest in managing any club, even if it is from a high-profile club like Manchester United. This decision will definitely raise considerable doubts on whether Southgate wants to face the intense demands in the Premier League and Europe after a strenuous time in international football.

Southgate’s possible refusal will then force the Red Devils to look at the other options. Earlier, Matt Le Tissier urged the club to consider Oliver Glasner over Southgate as the next manager at Old Trafford. The former English manager’s refusal will definitely shift United’s attention towards the current Crystal Palace boss.

Would Southgate have suited Old Trafford?

Southgate’s suitability for Manchester United divides opinion. The 55-year-old’s time with England changed the culture of the squad and produced notable results, including a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and finals at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. He fostered discipline, trusted young players, and gave the team consistency after years of struggle. Yet there are significant doubts about whether those qualities work in club football.

His only club experience came with Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009, which ended in relegation to the Championship. That record does little to reassure supporters who want a proven leader for a demanding role. His tactical style also created debate. The Englishman often used two defensive midfielders and leaned toward a cautious approach instead of open attacking play.

Critics argue this style clashes with Manchester United’s tradition, where fans expect bold and fluid football. His struggles against top-ranked opponents and his lack of tactical changes in key tournament games added to concerns. While Southgate clearly builds harmony and discipline, his limited club experience and cautious methods would always have created doubts about his fit at Old Trafford.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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