England manager Gareth Southgate has said he will talk to any club about jobs ahead of Euro 2024.
Southgate has been in the national team since 2016, England’s fourth-longest-serving manager in history, but his contract is set to expire in December.
The 53-year-old has been linked with Erik ten Hag’s replacement at Manchester United, but Southgate insists he is not thinking about his long career as a manager.
“I think I’ve answered that question every time I’ve sat down with you. My goal is the European Championship,” he told a news conference ahead of Friday’s friendly between England and Brazil.
“If we had done something, a contract here [with England] before, everyone would say: ‘Why do you sign a contract before a Euros where you have to act yourself?’
“I’m definitely not going to communicate with anyone before that. I’ve never done that. I have been here for 8 years in this position. I wouldn’t need to communicate with anyone else when I’m in that position.
United have made a final decision on Erik ten Hag’s long career and are making plans with him next season, adding potential signings and plans for summer excursions.
But United’s ambitious new co-owners Ineos are said to appreciate Southgate, who has a savvy relationship with Sir Dave Brailsford, as well as future long-term sporting director Dan Ashworth.
“From my point of view, there are two things,” Southgate added. “The first is that I’m the manager of England. I have a job: to try to win a European Championship. Clearly, before that, two games this week.
“The current issue is that Manchester United have a manager. It’s absolutely disrespectful when there’s hypotheses about a coach in place.
“I’m president of the LMA (League Managers Association), so I don’t have time for that kind of thing. “
Follow England’s fitties against Brazil and Belgium on Saturday and Tuesday on Sky Sports and on the app on our live engaged blogs.
Saturday, March 23: England vs Brazil – kick-off at 7:00 p. m.
Tuesday 26 March: England vs Belgium – kick-off 19:45
Monday in June: England vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – kick-off 19:45
Friday 7 June: England v Iceland – kick-off 19:45
Remaining qualifying dates26 March 2024: Play-off finals
Final tournament14 June 2024: Euro 2024 opening match, Allianz Arena (Munich)30 June – 2 July: Round of 16 – 6 July: Quarter-finals9-10 July 2024: Semi-finals14 July 2024: Euro 2024 final, Olympiastadion (Berlin)
Sunday in June – Group C: Serbia vs England (AufSchalke Arena, Gelsenkirchen – kick-off at 20:00 UK time)
Thursday 20 June – Group C: Denmark v England (Waldstadion, Frankfurt – kick-off at 5pmm. , UK time)
Tuesday, June 25 – Group C: England vs Slovenia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne – kick-off at 8:00 p. m. m. , UK time)
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