Southgate plans year out from management

Former England manager Gareth Southgate says he will not return to a coaching role for at least a year.

The 54-year-old resigned from the England job after the defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July.

Southgate was appointed as Three Lions boss in 2016 and guided England to back-to-back Euro finals, as well as a fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.

He has been linked with Manchester United amid the uncertainty over the future of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

However, speaking at the European Club Association general assembly in Athens on Thursday, Southgate ruled out an immediate return to management.

"I won't coach in the next year for sure, I'm certain of that," he said. "I need to give myself time to make good decisions.

"When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time.

"I'm enjoying my life, so there's no rush."

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp announced his return to the game on Wednesday, taking a role as global head of soccer at Red Bull.

"I'm fortunate that there are lots of different opportunities that are presenting themselves. The business side of football is really interesting," said Southgate.

"I've been invited to speak at Harvard and there's lots of exciting life experiences to have.

"I'm 54 and want to enjoy and be really motivated for the next 10 to 15 years of my life and the most important thing is to give myself time to make good decisions."

Southgate says he will not coach another international team and will be careful before returning to the club environment. He previously managed Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009.

"Clubs can only be successful if everything is aligned, right the way through the club," he said.

"I also know that maybe the smarter people sit in the boardrooms and the coaches are a little bit more dispensable than you think when you are there.

"As a coach you think you're the most important person. I sat in every boardroom in our country for eight years and realised you're only a small piece in this whole thing."

England face Greece in the Nations League at Wembley on Wednesday evening.

Lee Carsley, who replaced Southgate as interim manager, has won both of his two fixtures in charge of the Three Lions.