Gareth Southgate has indicated that he is unlikely to return to managing in the Premier League and shared that he struggled to enjoy victories during the latter stages of his tenure as England's manager. Southgate stepped down after England's defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final and has not attended a football match since witnessing his boyhood club, Crystal Palace, triumph over Manchester City in the FA Cup final last year.
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Having previously managed Middlesbrough for nearly three and a half years, Southgate's last club management experience ended in 2009 when he could not prevent the team from relegation. In a recent appearance on the Amol Rajan Connection podcast, he stated, "I don’t see a scenario where I do that." He explained that his enjoyment of football diminished significantly before he left his role, pointing out, "By the end, I didn’t even enjoy the wins for any longer than a couple of minutes. So, I’ve hardly watched football."
Since his departure from the national team, Southgate has pursued various opportunities, including launching a podcast and hosting a BBC documentary where he examined challenges faced by young men and boys across the UK. Reflecting on his life post-football management, he expressed satisfaction with his new experiences. "I’ve loved the last 18 months of my life," he said, noting that for many years his identity was closely tied to the outcomes of football matches. He has enjoyed meeting people from various fields and learning about different aspects of leadership and life, stating, "I’ve just enjoyed playing a different film in my life."