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Southgate emerged as Ratcliffe's priority to replace Ten Hag before they extended his contract (Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Gareth Southgate was reportedly the preferred choice of Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to replace Erik ten Hag earlier this year. Southgate, who left the England job following their defeat in the final of Euro 2024 to Spain, has been quizzed in the past about taking up the reins at club level once again.
During the ex-Middlesbrough boss' time in charge of the Three Lions, the 54-year-old was frequently asked about his ambitions to manage in club football, specifically at Old Trafford, but these questions were quickly dismissed each time.
Following a poor start to the season for Ten Hag, culminating in a humiliating 3-0 loss to Tottenham, the Dutchman is under increasing pressure. Here, Express Sport considers what Southgate has had to say about the Manchester United job and examines the possibility of Southgate actually becoming Ten Hag's successor.
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'Completely disrespectful'
When quizzed in March on the prospect of replacing Ten Hag, Southgate retorted: "I think I've answered this every time I've sat with you. My focus is the European Championship. I'm certainly not going to speak to anybody else ahead of that. I never have. I've been here eight years in the job.
"I wouldn't entertain speaking to anybody else when I'm in a job. Man Utd have a manager. It's always completely disrespectful when there's any speculation about a manager that's in place."
The England boss' contract was due to expire in December, with Southgate's name linked to the Red Devils hot seat as pressure seemingly mounted on Ten Hag. Southgate distanced himself from the rumours initially, but this changed in the following months, reports the Mirror.
The ex-England man dispelled rumours in April (Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
'Not a gambling man'
In May, Southgate spoke to ITV News ahead of Euro 2024 and was predictably quizzed on his future. But this time, his response was noticeably different.
"They can make their odds but it's not a conversation that's been had with me," Southgate replied when told he was odds-on to be the next man in charge at Old Trafford.
"I'm not a big gambling man. I've got one thing to focus on and that's having as successful a tournament with England as possible. Everything else is a complete irrelevance to me. If I start talking about that, then I'm already distracted from what I'm doing, so I think the country would expect that my focus is on England, and rightly so."
The Three Lions gaffer called the speculation 'irrelevant', but stopped short of the 'disrespectful' label he slapped on rumours a month prior - a slight change that would continue.
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'Not an issue'
Days later, England manager Gareth Southgate seemed unfazed when asked about taking up a domestic role upon his contract entering its final six months, a question he had previously dismissed. Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "Well, for me, it's not an issue and never has been.
"There will always be speculation about managers. Because if you lose a couple of games, you're in trouble - you win a couple of games, and it is a different agenda."
Southgate's comments suggest that the idea of taking up a club role had crossed his mind, as he recalled the often arduous process that managers undergo before being sacked, and this became even more apparent after leaving the England job.
Southgate had aspell in charge of Middlesbrough at the start of his managerial career (Image: PA)
'Lots of opportunities'
After stepping down from England duties and taking up a technical observer role with UEFA, Southgate was candid in early September about his future prospects.
"I have lots of opportunities," he told Sky News. "I am very open to what's next. That might be in football, that might be outside of football."
Rumours are rife that Ratcliffe approached the Englishman as his top target in the summer, and if these 'opportunities' are anything to go by, then Manchester United could be on the 54-year-old's radar should he choose to make a return to Premier Leageue management as previously hinted.
Ten Hag's FA Cup triumph gave him a stay of execution, but it looks like it's only a matter of time for him this season, with Southgate among those options waiting in the wings.
Southgate has been tipped to take over at Old Trafford (Image: None)
'I wanted United'
If a club move were on the cards, then where exactly would be Southgate's ideal landing spot? The England boss offered up a hint during a 2020 interview with BT Sports: "I had two goals. I wanted to play for England and Manchester United, actually.
"I never got the chance to play for Manchester United." This admission, coupled with his likely return to club football - as well as Ratcliffe's admiration - suggests that the Old Trafford hot seat could be his next target.
Despite facing intense scrutiny as England manager, Southgate's love for United is clear and he'd have weathered worse storms than he'd likely face in Manchester. Whether he would accept the job if offered remains to be seen, but his progression and readiness for a new challenge suggest he could be preparing for such a role after his reset.
