Elara is a seasoned journalist and digital content creator with a passion for uncovering stories that matter.
The esteemed football figure has made clear that he is avoiding a return to football management, explaining that it would be tough to duplicate the special mission he felt as the national team coach.
Southgate expressed his intention to channel his attention toward working with young people and combating what he described as a widespread pessimistic outlook now prevalent in the country.
Speaking on air, Southgate was prompted regarding speculation linking him with vacant management roles in the English football and other leagues.
“My role with England was not just a job—it was a mission representing my nation,” he replied. “Recreating that unique role won’t be easy. With 37 years in football behind me, I’m excited to identify fresh ways to create impact.”
Leading up to the release of his upcoming book, his new work on leadership, the author shared that he is “very passionate” about setting examples for teenagers, drawing on insights from his period as England’s men’s football manager between 2016 and 2024, as well as his personal family life.
The leader maintains that his time coaching England, during which the team shifted from being strongly criticized to greatly admired, holds wider relevance.
“We had a huge disconnect with the public when we started,” he said. “People saw us as high-ego players but we were able to turn that around. I saw the power that the team had to bring people together of every community.”
Speaking from his experience as a father, Southgate remarked: “You want to give your kids the best possible start, but there is a point when they don’t want to listen to parents any more. I experienced that in my house in the same way everybody else will … but I do think this is an important space for us.”
He went on: “There’s a negative narrative around our country at the moment and we’ve got to give young people hope, we’ve got to give them guidance. We’ve got incredible talent but we need to them to find the right role models, the right friendship groups because those decisions have such a big impact on the rest of their lives.”
The former manager stressed that “the British people share more commonalities than differences” but that the societal attention often highlights division.
“It’s understandable why people are disaffected,” he stated. “Economically lots of places are in tough situations now and that’s going to prompt desires for change. But I have seen the ability to unite the country. I saw during Covid people doing shopping for the neighbours and that’s when we as a nation are at our best, when we’ve been pushed into a corner and come out and shown resilience.”
Southgate’s new release, the book Dear England, is expected to offer further insights on guidance and country pride based on his remarkable time in football.
Elara is a seasoned journalist and digital content creator with a passion for uncovering stories that matter.
Rita Davis
Rita Davis
Rita Davis