Gareth Southgate isn't ready to return to football yet. (Image: Getty)
Gareth Southgate has taken himself out of the running for the Manchester United job by confirming he isn't ready to return to management after his England exit. Southgate has been regularly linked with United amid uncertainty over Erik ten Hag's future, but he isn't set to be in the frame should the club decide to make a change in the coming months.
The 54-year-old resigned as England manager in the summer after overseeing a second successive European Championships final defeat in Germany.
Three years after Italy triumphed at Wembley, the Three Lions fell 2-1 against Spain at Berlin's Olimpiastadion, spelling the end of Southgate's tenure.
He inherited the job from Roy Hodgson following one of England's worst-ever results, crashing out of Euro 2016 to Iceland.
And the former Middlesbrough boss guided the nation to a World Cup quarter-final and semi-final on top of the two Euro finals across his eight-year reign.
Southgate's England exit sparked links with United, given his close relationship with the club's new sporting director, Dan Ashworth.
But he has poured cold water over the speculation, confirming he doesn't plan to return to the dugout for at least the next year.
"I won't coach in the next year, for sure. I'm certain of that," Southgate explained during Thursday's 31st ECA General Assembly in Athens.
Erik ten Hag is under serious pressure at Man Utd. (Image: Getty)
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"I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time.
"I'm fortunate that there are lots of opportunities presenting themselves."
Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford is up in the air, despite seemingly surviving a blockbuster meeting in London involving all of United's decision brokers on Tuesday.
The club's three-person executive committee featuring Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Joel Glazer and Sir Dave Brailsford were present at INEOS' Knightsbridge office.
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United chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox and Ashworth - the trio tasked with recommending a change of manager should they deem it necessary - were also in attendance.
For now, Ten Hag appears in line to guide the Red Devils into the upcoming block of fixtures before the November international break.
Brentford visit Old Trafford on October 19 to start a run of seven games across three competitions in three weeks.
Should results fail to improve, United are expected to pull the trigger. Thomas Tuchel is currently considered the frontrunner to succeed Ten Hag.
