Gareth Southgate rules out Premier League return: 'Hardly watched football' since England exit
Synopsis
Gareth Southgate has not just stepped back from management — he has barely watched football since leaving England. The man who took the Three Lions to two consecutive European finals says even the wins had stopped bringing him joy by the end, and he sees no scenario where he returns to the Premier League dugout.
Key Takeaways
Gareth Southgate has ruled out returning to Premier League management, saying he 'hardly watched football' since leaving his England role.
Southgate stepped down after England's defeat in the Euro 2024 final — their second consecutive European Championship final loss under him.
He won 61 of 102 matches as England manager, appointed in November 2016 — one of only three managers to reach 100 England games .
He guided England to four consecutive major tournaments , including the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 .
His only post-England stadium visit was watching Crystal Palace win their first-ever FA Cup title.
Former England manager Gareth Southgate has firmly ruled out a return to club management in the Premier League, revealing he has 'hardly watched football' since stepping down as the England national team head coach following their defeat in the 2024 European Championship final. The 56-year-old made the candid admission on The Amol Rajan Connection podcast, in an interview broadcast by the BBC.
Why Southgate Walked Away
Southgate departed England duty after the team's loss in the Euro 2024 final — their second consecutive European Championship final defeat under his tenure. Speaking openly about his mental state toward the end of his reign, he acknowledged that the job had drained his passion for the game entirely. 'By the end, I didn't even enjoy the wins for any longer than a couple of minutes,' he said. 'So, I've hardly watched football.'
His only post-England outing at a football ground was to watch his boyhood club Crystal Palace lift the FA Cup — their first-ever major trophy. 'I've not been to a football ground since,' he added. 'So my sort of desire to be involved in football has changed.'
A Record-Breaking England Tenure
Appointed England manager in November 2016, Southgate went on to become one of only three managers ever to take charge of 100 England matches, winning 61 of 102 games. He guided the Three Lions to four consecutive major tournament appearances, including the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 — a sustained run of deep tournament progress England had not seen in decades.
Before his managerial career, Southgate earned 57 caps and scored 2 goals for England as a player in a career spanning 1995 to 2004. He also managed the England Under-21 side from 2013 to 2016 before stepping up to the senior role.
His Playing Career in Brief
Southgate had a distinguished club career, representing Crystal Palace (1988–1995), Aston Villa (1995–2001), and Middlesbrough (2001–2006), making a combined 503 appearances and scoring 26 goals. His only foray into club management came during a three-year spell at Middlesbrough from 2006, after which he stepped away from the dugout before his England role.
What He Said About the Future
'I don't see a scenario where I do that,' Southgate said, when asked about a potential Premier League return, as quoted by the BBC. He acknowledged that toward the end of his England stint, even victories had stopped bringing satisfaction. 'Towards the end of my time with England, I stopped enjoying — at the very least, for a period — the wins keep you going,' he said.
Whether Southgate's extended sabbatical from football eventually leads him back to management — at club or international level — remains to be seen, though his remarks suggest any return, if it happens at all, remains a distant prospect.
Point of View
Should his appetite return — but the timeline is entirely unclear.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Gareth Southgate ruled out returning to Premier League management?
Southgate said he does not see a scenario where he returns to club football in the Premier League, explaining that his desire to be involved in football has fundamentally changed. He revealed he had stopped enjoying even wins toward the end of his England tenure and has 'hardly watched football' since leaving.
When did Gareth Southgate leave as England manager?
Southgate stepped down as England head coach after the national team lost the Euro 2024 final, their second consecutive European Championship final defeat under his management. He had been in charge since November 2016.
What were Gareth Southgate's achievements as England manager?
Southgate won 61 of 102 matches as England manager, making him one of only three managers to take charge of 100 England games. He led the Three Lions to four consecutive major tournaments, including the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 — a level of sustained tournament success England had rarely seen.
What has Gareth Southgate been doing since leaving England?
Southgate has largely stepped away from football entirely since his England exit. His only confirmed stadium visit was to watch Crystal Palace win the FA Cup — their first major trophy. He has given occasional media interviews, including the BBC's The Amol Rajan Connection podcast, but has taken no coaching role.
Did Gareth Southgate have any previous club management experience?
Yes, Southgate managed Middlesbrough for three years from 2006, but has not held a club management role since. He then managed the England Under-21 team from 2013 to 2016 before taking charge of the senior side in November 2016.
