Gareth Southgate faces challenges in managing MU

Gareth Southgate is cautious about the possibility of managing Manchester United, believing that the Red Devils need at least four years of rebuilding and require patience from the leadership to achieve success.

Gareth Southgate, former England manager, is reportedly among the candidates considered to replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. However, the 55-year-old coach remains cautious and expresses concerns about taking charge of the Red Devils amid the club’s current crisis.

According to The Sun, Southgate believes MU will need a minimum of four years to rebuild and regain their status as top contenders in the Champions League. He argues that without patience from the board and firm commitments to a long-term plan, any restructuring efforts he leads would be disrupted.

His biggest concern is the club’s demand for immediate success, especially if the team shows rapid progress in the early stages.

Since resigning as England’s head coach in July 2024, Southgate has not rushed back into management. He is currently focusing on promoting his new book Dear England: Lessons in Leadership with two speaking events in London and York, while also engaging in various projects outside football. Southgate has even hinted that he might not return to coaching unless he finds an attractive project with full long-term control.

A lifelong MU fan, Southgate has been linked to the Old Trafford role since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner of the club in February 2024. Previously, he received support from Dan Ashworth, former MU sporting director, with whom he worked in the England setup. However, Ashworth was dismissed after only five months due to a “lack of harmony” with the MU hierarchy.

Sir Dave Brailsford’s influence, once tasked by Ratcliffe to overhaul MU, has waned as he returned to cycling with the Ineos Grenadiers team. This may affect Southgate’s chances, as he had close ties with both Brailsford and Ashworth, key supporters of his.

Throughout his career, Southgate has never managed a Premier League club since Middlesbrough’s relegation in 2009. Nevertheless, eight years leading England helped him build a strong reputation, highlighted by reaching the World Cup semi-finals and two EURO finals. These achievements earned him a knighthood from the British monarchy.

However, given MU’s current situation—a squad under pressure for instant success, constantly shifting direction, and struggling under Ruben Amorim—Southgate understands that the Old Trafford job would be an enormous challenge. To accept it, he needs guarantees of a genuine long-term plan rather than short-term expectations as before.