Gareth Southgate says he does not envisage returning to Premier League management and now watches little football. The Guardian reports that the former England manager described enjoying different experiences after stepping away from a job in which results had shaped his sense of self.
Distance from the managerial routine
Speaking on the Amol Rajan Connection podcast, Southgate said that towards the end of his England tenure, even victories brought enjoyment for only a few minutes. He connected that experience with his changed desire to remain involved in football.
He says the last match he attended was Crystal Palace's 2025 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. Palace are his boyhood club, and he has not visited another football ground since, according to his account.
Southgate left England after defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final, ending almost eight years in charge of the national team.
Exploring work beyond the touchline
His previous club-management experience came at Middlesbrough, where he replaced Steve McClaren in 2006. He spent almost three-and-a-half years there, with the club relegated from the Premier League in 2009.
Since leaving England, Southgate has developed a podcast and fronted a BBC documentary examining challenges facing young men and boys. He describes meeting people in politics and media, travelling and learning about leadership in different settings.
The interview expresses his current outlook rather than announcing an irrevocable retirement. It also does not establish that he has rejected a particular club contract. His emphasis is on enjoying a life less dependent on the result of the next match.