The secret rationale behind Gareth Southgate’s popularity as a front-runner to succeed Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager has been made public.
Although Southgate is expected to make a spectacular comeback to club management the following season, he is likely occupied this summer getting ready for England’s Euro 2024 campaign.
According to a number of sources, the 53-year-old has become a strong contender to take over at Old Trafford in the event that Ten Hag, the coach who is under pressure, gets fired at the end of the current campaign.
Even though United is currently sixth in the Premier League and was knocked out of Europe before Christmas, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the head of INEOS, the club’s new minority owner, isn’t sure the Dutchman can bring the team back to its former glory.
Southgate is seen as the best person to take over in the event that Ten Hag departs by Sir Dave Brailsford, the director of sport of INEOS, and Dan Ashworth, who is anticipated to take over as the team’s director of football.
Undoubtedly, Southgate’s past with the two guys has contributed to it.
While Ashworth collaborated with Southgate while he was employed by the Football Association, Brailsford first met the England manager through the INEOS Leaders in Sport initiative.
ESPN claims that there is a further reason why they think highly of him as a possible Ten Hag substitute.
Southgate’s England contract is set to end in December, therefore United would have to pay less than £1 million in compensation to release him. This makes Southgate a far more affordable recruitment than other elite managers.
An further factor is the efforts made by Southgate to enhance the cohesiveness and ethos of the England team, something United’s executives believe is necessary at Old Trafford as part of a massive overhaul.
Southgate is thought to be unsure of whether he will stick with England into the 2026 World Cup, despite his open refusal to discuss his future.
