Sir Gareth Southgate has doubts over whether he would be given the patience needed to rebuild Manchester United if he were to take charge.
The former England boss is open to talks should United part ways with under-pressure coach Ruben Amorim. However, sources close to him suggest that, as a lifelong United supporter, Southgate believes it could take as long as four years to turn the club back into Champions League contenders.
He would want firm guarantees from the board that they would stick to any long-term strategy agreed upon. His concern is that United may push for instant success — especially if he showed signs of early progress — while he prefers steady, measured change over a longer period.
Now 55, Southgate is in no rush to return to management following his departure as England manager in July 2024.
Southgate will deliver two talks in London and York next month to promote his new book, Dear England: Lessons in Leadership, and he is involved in other ventures away from football. Southgate has also suggested he may not manage again.
Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has been linked with the Manchester United job ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner in February 2024.
Ratcliffe appointed cycling mastermind Sir Dave Brailsford to oversee United’s rebuild, and Brailsford shares a close relationship with Southgate. Ex-sporting director Dan Ashworth, who worked alongside Southgate in the England setup, also championed him as a leading candidate to replace Erik ten Hag last year — only to be overruled by CEO Omar Berrada, who pushed for Ruben Amorim instead.
With both Brailsford and Ashworth now absent from Old Trafford, Southgate may lack key allies at boardroom level despite his strong ties to them.
The 55-year-old has not managed in the Premier League since Middlesbrough’s relegation in 2009, but his eight-year spell as England manager brought a World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals, achievements that ultimately earned him a knighthood.
