Gareth Southgate has given an update on his future in football, admitting he is ‘enjoying life’ after his England exit.
Southgate, 54, has not yet returned to management since leaving the England hotseat after Euro 2024 last July, with his Three Lions side narrowly losing 2-1 to champions Spain in the final.
During his tenure as England boss, Southgate revolutionised the culture of the national team and guided the country both to two European finals and a World Cup semi-final.
Despite his relative success at the Three Lions helm, he has yet to return to the dugout and instead focused on interests away from the football pitch.
In an interview with Daily Mail Sport at the 2025 PFA Awards gala on Tuesday night, Southgate revealed that he has no plans to return to football in the immediate future.
‘Not at the moment, I’m very much enjoying my life,’ the former England boss said in a relaxed manner.
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Gareth Southgate has given an update on his future in football, admitting he is ‘enjoying life’
The ex-England boss was honoured with the 2025 PFA Order of Merit at Tuesday’s awards gala
He vowed not to interfere with Thomas Tuchel’s England plans at the World Cup next summer
‘I’ve got some business interests, I’m in the middle of writing a book, I do some work around leadership, I still do some work with young coaches and I’m trying to help out where I can with the crisis we have around young men. I’m trying to put some things in place for that. I’ve also got time to enjoy my life and yes, I am enjoying my life.’
England, who appointed Thomas Tuchel as Southgate’s successor last autumn, will look to go one better under the German manager by triumphing at the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
The tournament will mark 60 years since England’s last major triumph in the men’s game – the 1966 World Cup.
Asked if he would be following Tuchel’s Three Lions with interest next summer, Southgate added: ‘I’m obviously excited – it’s a World Cup. But it’s very important I stay out the way of it all.’
England have struggled for consistency during the early stages of Tuchel’s reign, losing 3-1 to Senegal and only managing a 1-0 victory over minnows Andorra in a World Cup qualifier.
The Three Lions still sit atop League B Group 2 with five wins and a defeat from six matches, level on points with Greece.
During Tuesday’s awards ceremony, Southgate was honoured with the 2025 PFA Order of Merit for his services to football, while Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah claimed the event’s flagship Players’ Player of the Year prize.
