ATHENS, Greece — Former England coach Gareth Southgate said Thursday he will be taking a year away from a club or national team job, after speculation he could be a target for Manchester United.

Gareth Southgate says he intends to have one year away from coaching after leaving his role as England manager in July. The 54-year-old spent eight years in charge of the national side, as well as three years leading England’s under-21s,

Former England manager Gareth Southgate has ruled himself out of a return to coaching for the next 12 months at a minimum. Southgate departed the England hotseat after losing to Spain in the Euro 2024 final and has since been heavily linked as a potential successor to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.