Five months after stepping down as England manager, Gareth Southgate has hinted that his next professional chapter might take him beyond the football world.
In a post shared on LinkedIn, Southgate opened up about his search for a new “purpose” following his eight-year tenure as the coach of the Three Lions.
In the message to his business followers, he revealed he will not limit himself to roles inside the world of football.
He said: “This higher purpose kept me on track, gave me structure, made my life more fulfilling and is going to be extremely difficult to replicate.
“It’s why I’m not limiting my future options to remaining as a football coach.”
While he was briefly linked with the managerial position at Manchester United, the club ultimately appointed Ruben Amorim following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal in October.
Gareth Southgate has suggested that he may not continue as a coach after his departure from his role as England manager in a LinkedIn post ⚽ pic.twitter.com/yMoQSGNqWL
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 26, 2024
Since then, Southgate has remained out of the public eye as England transitioned to a new era, first under interim coach Lee Carsley and, as of January 1, under full-time head coach Thomas Tuchel.
He added: “After eight years serving in one of the highest-profile roles in world football, I’m consciously taking time to reflect on what I lived through and thinking deeply about what comes next.
“I’m comfortable with this period of ‘exploration’ and not having all the answers. I’m following the advice I would give to any young person without a clear career vision.
“Keep learning. Build or explore your network. Seek different life experiences. When you decide what’s next, there will be no right or wrong, just one path or another.”
As Southgate steps away from the pressures of elite football management, his reflections highlight a desire to find fulfilment in life.
