SIR GARETH SOUTHGATE fears he would not be given the time to transform Manchester United into a force again if he became their next manager.
Southgate is open to discussing the possibility of taking over at United if the club part ways with struggling coach Ruben Amorim.
And well-placed sources say boyhood United fan Southgate believes it could take up to four years to make United contenders in the Champions League.
The former England manager would require assurances that the United hierarchy stick to any long-term plan they map out.
Southgate is also concerned United would demand instant success – particularly if he made swift progress – when he is a believer in overseeing gradual change over a lengthy period of time.
The 55-year-old is in no rush to return to football management after he stepped down as England manager in July 2024.
Southgate will deliver two talks in London and York next month to promote his new book, Dear England: Lessons in Leadership, and he is involved in other ventures away from football. Southgate has also suggested he may not manage again.
Former Middlesbrough manager Southgate has been linked with the United post since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner of the club in February 2024.
Ratcliffe tasked cycling guru Sir Dave Brailsford with overhauling the set-up at United and Brailsford is close with Southgate.
Ex-United sporting director Dan Ashworth endorsed Southgate, having worked with him in the England set-up, as one of the prime options to replace Erik ten Hag last year but was overruled by chief executive Omar Berrada, who head-hunted Amorim.
Brailsford had recommended Ashworth, who only lasted five months as sporting director before he was dismissed due to a lack of “chemistry”, according to Ratcliffe.
Former Team Sky principal Brailsford is no longer on the scene at United and returned to cycling as the Ineos Grenadiers’ general manager. Brailsford is still listed as a director on the United football board.
The absence of Brailsford and Ashworth from the United set-up possibly counts against Southgate, who has enjoyed close personal and professional relationships with the pair.
Southgate has not managed in the Premier League since Middlesbrough were relegated in May 2009.
He was in charge of England for eight years, guiding them to a World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals, which earned him a knighthood.
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