Gareth Southgate: I’m not missing managing England

Sir Gareth Southgate says he does not miss being England manager and claims he felt the ‘weight’ of the job on a daily basis.

Southgate spent nearly eight years in charge of England and stepped aside last summer after his team were beaten by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

The 54-year-old also came close to guiding England to victory at Euro 2020 as his side lost on penalties by Italy at Wembley, while at the 2018 World Cup, the Three Lions suffered a defeat to Croatia in the semi-final.

Southgate endured heavy criticism during England’s Euro 2024 campaign and was pelted with empty beer cups by supporters following a goalless draw against Slovenia in the group stage.

However, he has been credited with restoring positivity and pride towards England’s national side during his tenure.

‘It is a little bit strange [watching the team] but also I’m not missing it,’ Southgate, who received his knighthood for services to English football on Wednesday, said in an interview with BBC Sport.

‘I think it’s important that I am on that sofa and out of their way, you know. It’s theirs to take on now and I think it’s important that I give the team as much space as possible.

‘I think it’s hard to describe because until that weight’s gone you don’t necessarily realise just on a day-to-day basis, you know, every hour of my day was thinking about how do I make England better, what’s happening with the players, how do we do things differently.

‘So I think… any leader of big organisations, you’re constantly thinking about how to do your job as well as you can.’

Southgate was also reluctant to respond to the assessment from current England manager Thomas Tuchel, who claimed England lacked a clear playing style at Euro 2024 last year.

‘I don’t think it’s important how I took it or what I think,’ Southgate said.

‘I think what’s really important is for me to give the team, the manager, the space to operate. I think that’s the right thing to do.

‘I’ve had an amazing experience leading my country, but it’s time for them to take it forward now and I’ll be a fan at home supporting it.’

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