Former England manager Gareth Southgate has suggested his next job could be away from football.
Southgate ended an eight-year stint as the national team boss in the wake of the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
He previously said he would not return to management this season but has now spoken about the possibility of working outside the game.
I’m consciously taking time to reflect on what I lived through and thinking deeply about what comes next
In a lengthy post on social networking platform LinkedIn, he revealed he is having a “period of exploration”.
The 54-year-old said: “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.
“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.
“I’m comfortable with this period of ‘exploration’ and not having all the answers.
“I’m not the only 50something contemplating a change of direction.”
Southgate was heavily linked with the Manchester United job, owing to a relationship with United sporting director Dan Ashworth, but the Old Trafford club appointed Ruben Amorim.
He is widely regarded as England’s most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey after guiding the country to back-to-back European Championship finals as well as a World Cup semi-final.
And he says any new job will be difficult to replicate the “sense of purpose”.
“Looking back there are matches and moments I will remember for the rest of my life,” he said.
“Coaching top players was a challenge that pushed me to operate at the very highest level.
Every morning I drove through the gates of St George’s Park, I had a responsibility to improve English football
“The weight of the role with the unique responsibility it carried was something few ever get to experience.
“Perhaps the hardest thing of all to replicate though, is going to be the sense of purpose.
“Every morning I drove through the gates of St George’s Park, I had a responsibility to improve English football.
“Whenever the National Anthem played pre-game, I was representing 50 million people, their hopes and dreams.
“When I travelled, or spoke publicly I had a duty to be an ambassador for my country. Even in the most difficult moments, whether after heartbreaking defeats or during tense media scrutiny I was acutely aware of the need to stand with dignity and demonstrate strong leadership.
“This was not only for the players and staff beside me but also for the millions of young people watching, who might find inspiration and hope in what we do.”
German Thomas Tuchel was named as Southgate’s permanent successor last month and he will start in January.
Under-21s boss Lee Carsley stepped up to take the team on an interim basis for the recent Nations League campaign.
