Former England boss Gareth Southgate hasn’t wasted any time getting stuck into a new role after leaving England. The former Three Lions boss is now a technical observer for UEFA after stepping down from the national side in July.
Southgate’s decision to leave after eight years in charge came in the aftermath of his second consecutive European Championship final defeat – this time to Spain, after defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 showpiece. Just as Southgate stepped up from his role as U21 manager to the senior side, new England interim boss Lee Carsley has done the same to takes the reins.
His predecessor, however, is choosing to bide his time over a return to the dugout, instead opting to work for European football’s governing body until the end of the current season at the very least. Southgate follows in the footsteps of multiple managers who have taken the plunge and secured themselves an observational role, including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-West Ham boss coach David Moyes.
The former Manchester United chief acted in the role during Euro 2024 and continues to do so with Southgate prepped to accompany him. Ex-Everton and Wigan boss Roberto Martinez previously became an observer before stepping back into management and has explained what precisely the job consists of.
“Instead of just watching the game for a specific reason in my capacity as a national team coach, you are watching it in a more holistic way and appreciating the development of the game and the competition itself,” Martinez told UEFA’s website.
“It could be different types of performances, from young players, for example, or the way the competition is getting tougher physically and cuter tactically with the new trends within the competition.”
Two Euros finals and World Cup semi-final have put Southgate in good stead regarding the 54-year-old’s managerial prospects in the future. He was reportedly lined up as a possible replacement by United this summer, should the decision have been made to sack Erik ten Hag.
Instead, the Dutchman was handed a one-year extension, but, having mustered just three points from their opening trio of league fixtures to begin this season – made worse by the 3-0 embarrassment at the hands of Liverpool – his future doesn’t look at all secure.
Reports also suggest that new Red Devils minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe admires the ex-England head coach, and it remains unlikely that too much time passes before we see Southgate back in a dugout once again.
The former Middlesbrough man was reportedly still favoured by the FA after the Euro 2024 heartbreak, and it was wished that he remained in charge. But Southgate made the decision to call it quits after eight years, sparking a hunt for a new head coach.
A range of head coaches were touted as possible candidates to lead the country into the 2026 World Cup, including Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, and Eddie Howe. But, U21 boss Carsley was chosen, albeit currently on an interim basis.
The ex-Toffees midfielder will be at the wheel for his first game against the Republic of Ireland before a clash against Finland at Wembley on Tuesday. “It’s an honour to step up and lead this England squad on an interim basis,” Carsley said after his appointment as interim boss.
“As I am very familiar with the players and the cycle of international football, it makes sense for me to guide the team while the FA continues the process to recruit a new manager. My main priority is to ensure continuity and our goal is to secure promotion in the UEFA Nations League.”
