What’s next for Gareth Southgate? The former England manager’s future looks bright, with ITV pundit role on the cards or even a return to club football

Gareth Southgate stepped down as England manager on Tuesday morning, ending his 2,849-day reign.

The 53-year-old footballer’s sacking came less than 48 hours after the Three Lions were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

It was England’s second straight European Championship final defeat after Southgate’s team were beaten on penalties by Italy in the climax of Euro 2020.

During his almost eight-year tenure, Southgate officiated 102 matches, winning 59.80 percent of them.

The FA were keen to keep him, but Southgate announced on Tuesday that it was ‘time for a change and a new chapter’. But what could the next chapter look like for him? What’s in store for Gareth Southgate?

What will Gareth Southgate do now?

Back to club football

Southgate has been involved in the world of football almost continuously since joining Southampton’s youth academy as a child.

In 2006 he became manager outright after ending his active career at Middlesbrough.

After three and a half seasons as Boro manager, he took a short break before joining the England coaching staff in 2013, first as manager of the U21 team, before being promoted to first-team manager three years later.

It is widely expected that Southgate will return to the helm of the club sooner or later.

He had been linked with Manchester United in recent months, before Erik ten Hag signed a new contract.

While a move to Old Trafford now seems unlikely, don’t be surprised if Southgate moves elsewhere in the Premier League next season.

Southgate pictured in 2009 during his time as Premier League manager at Middlesbrough

Television

As Mail Sport reported earlier this week, ITV will offer Southgate a job as an editor.

Southgate is highly regarded by the broadcaster, who are keen for him to play a key role in coverage leading up to the next World Cup and beyond.

He has admirers at a high level within ITV and the prospect of him joining their panel is one they would like to make a reality, although it is unlikely he would be in his place for the Nations League match against Ireland in September, as he needs time to take a break then.

ITV loses Gary Neville, who covered major tournaments for ITV, to return to Sky Sports.

Southgate has spent much of the past eight years answering questions from reporters and pundits, but the tables could soon be turned if he accepts a job at ITV

Rest and recovery

At 53, Southgate is still relatively young in terms of football managers and with time on his side, he doesn’t need to rush to his next job.

Money-wise, too, he was struggling: by the end of his time as England manager, he was earning around £5 million a year.

Southgate may therefore choose to take a break from football and enjoy an extended holiday with his wife Alison, with whom he has children – Mia and Flynn – who are both young adults.

Southgate pictured with his wife Alison at a Legends of Football event in London in 2022

While Southgate is expected to return to football at some point, there is no doubt that England’s European Championship will have taken a huge toll on him.

He will almost certainly take some sort of break to process the last eight years. How long that break will last is less clear.