Aaron Ramsdale has greatly enjoyed his time under England manager Gareth Southgate (Picture: Getty)
Aaron Ramsdale says he has no doubt that Gareth Southgate could make the transition from international football to elite-level club management amid rumours linking the England boss with Manchester United.
Southgate has entered into the final six months of his contract as he prepares to lead England into this summer’s European Championships and the FA are keen for the 53-year-old to sign an extension.
However, Southgate has refused to give any assurances over his future and there are rumours he could be poised to move into club management, regardless of England’s success – or otherwise – in Germany.
Manchester United have been credited with a strong interest in Southgate, who took charge of the Three Lions back in 2016, with Erik ten Hag’s future still yet to be decided.
The England head coach is well thought of by United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and is said to have a close relationship with Sir Dave Brailsford, INEOS’ director of sport.
Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale was given his senior international debut by Southgate in 2021 and the 26-year-old has been a near ever-present in England’s squads ever since.
Despite being limited to just five appearances, with Jordan Pickford established as England’s number one, it’s clear Ramsdale has greatly enjoyed working under Southgate over the last three years.
Southgate is out of contract with the Three Lions in December (Picture: Getty)
Asked how he has found working under Southgate, Ramsdale told That’s Football: ‘The best. He’s a real people person.
‘I think he’s got the best out of a number of players in the squad.
‘Obviously we fell short on one or two occasions, but how he works, how he is as a man with his group is special.
Southgate is a ‘real people person’, says Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale (Picture: Getty)
‘We have Steve Holland who just adores football and his tactics and everything like that and then we have Gareth who brings the football side of him playing and the knowledge and experiences he had in international football.
‘But also, he’s there for a chat with players who are in the team, out the team, in form, out of form.
‘He makes everyone feel together and he speaks to the boys who are struggling more than he would need to speak to someone at the top of their game like a Jude [Bellingham] or a Harry [Kane] and that’s what makes you feel like a real unit and a real group.’
Ramsdale is confident Southgate could succeed at a top club should he step down as England boss (Picture: Getty)
Recent rumours linking Southgate with the Old Trafford job have raised eyebrows among some United fans, but Ramsdale is confident the England boss would be able to cope with the pressures that come with day-to-day management.
Quizzed on whether Southgate could transition into a top club job, Ramsdale replied: ‘I don’t see why he wouldn’t!
‘I don’t think there’s ever been a manager who has only done international jobs, has there? And I don’t think there has ever been that much of an uproar or a case to say other managers who have gone from international teams to club football.
‘Obviously as the England manager you get a lot of scrutiny, that comes with the job.
‘People always have something to say but the way he works and the he would be able to equip his backroom staff to be able to deal with everyday work, I’m pretty sure he’d be fine.
‘If he does, I’d look forward to seeing how he would in the day-to-day and how his team have done.’
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