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England Manager Undeterred by Club Rumours
Gareth Southgate, the England national team manager, has dismissed ongoing speculation linking him with the managerial position at Manchester United. Amidst a season of change at Old Trafford, with new appointments and the pursuit of high-profile directors, Southgate remains adamant that his sights are firmly set on international success at the upcoming Euro 2024.
Commitment to National Duty
In a conversation with the BBC, Southgate emphasized the importance of his role in leading England to a prosperous campaign in Germany this summer. “I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there’s enough work involved in that,” he stated, underlining his dedication to the national team amidst the swirling rumours.
Concentration on Continental Success
Despite Manchester United‘s current Premier League struggles and the consequent scrutiny of their manager Erik ten Hag, Southgate’s focus remains unshaken. He views the European Championships as a “brilliant opportunity” to build on England’s previous performance, where they fell just short in the final against Italy.
Rebuffing Betting Odds
Addressing the betting odds on his potential move to Manchester United in an ITV interview, Southgate remarked, “I’m not a big gambling man and bookies, they can make their odds but it’s not conversations that’s been had with me.” He reiterated his sole objective of leading England to as successful a tournament as possible.
Future in the Balance
With a contract set to expire at the end of Euro 2024, Southgate’s future is bound to be a topic of discussion, particularly as Manchester United intensifies their search for a new manager. However, Southgate, with a previous club management stint at Middlesbrough, refuses to entertain thoughts of a return to day-to-day club coaching just yet. “If I start talking about that, then I’m already distracted from what I’m doing,” he asserted, confirming his commitment to England’s cause.
The Road to Euro 2024
As England prepares to embark on their Euro 2024 journey, Southgate looks ahead to their opening match against Serbia on June 16 at the Arena AufSchalke. With fixtures against Denmark and Slovenia also in the pipeline, the England boss is ready to lead his team through his fourth major tournament, aiming to take the nation one step further than before.
