Gareth Southgate “intent on enjoying life” amid persistent Manchester United manager links

Gareth Southgate says he plans to “take some time, refresh and recharge”, amid persistent links to the Manchester United job should current manager Erik ten Hag get the sack.

The former England boss has been out of work since stepping down from the national job in July, but links to the Old Trafford hotseat have been going strong since before the end of last season.

Southgate has poured cold water on those links, confirming he has had “no conversations” with Premier League clubs, and seems in little hurry to get back into management, particularly somewhere as stressful as the notoriously tough United dugout.

The 54-year-old told Sky Sports he is “very open-minded” as to his next career move, but conceded that might be “in or outside football”.

“People know I need to get some energy back and enjoy my life. I’m not going to rush anything,” he added.

INEOS are said to be huge admirers of Southgate, whose measured approach helped calm the media circus around the national team when he took over in 2016.

Although falling short of trophies – not for lack of trying, having taken England to two European Championship finals, a World Cup semi-final and a World Cup quarter-final – he managed to build a squad apparently brimming with unity and positivity.

Dispelling the lingering toxicity at United seems to be a high priority for the new structure, and, were it not for Southgate’s commitments at the Euros, he may well have been drafted in to help with the cleanup.

Sporting director Dan Ashworth is a known fan and former colleague of Southgate, from their time together at the FA. In 2016 he endorsed the former Middlesbrough boss as the “outstanding candidate” for the England job.

At present Southgate is still seen as a leading candidate to be the next permanent United manager, but following his comments attention is sure to turn to Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff this summer.

Ten Hag signed a year extension to his contract just over two months ago but is already fighting for his future as United boss after a torrid start to the campaign.

The Dutchman looked doomed after presiding over United’s worst-ever Premier League season last time around but an unlikely FA Cup triumph over Manchester City kept him in post.

But after just one win in three games, and flat performances despite a productive summer in the transfer market, he is already said to be in last chance saloon with four games to save his job.

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