Gareth Southgate revealed that some wise words from Jose Mourinho have rung true as he discussed his future as England manager.
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Southgate to lead England at Euro 2024Might not continue with the Three Lions afterDiscussed life after England with MourinhoWHAT HAPPENED?
Having led England for seven years with an impressive track record, including reaching the Euro 2020 final and achieving notable finishes in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the manager might step down from his position after Euro 2024. Southgate is already looking ahead and is preparing himself for a transition to club football. He revealed that Mourinho told him that after the England stint, he would be ready for any assignment and emphasised that no job in world football would intimidate him more than his current role with the Three Lions.
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Speaking to Southgate said: "I remember talking to Jose (Mourinho) when he was at Man United and he said: 'You know, when you've done the role you're in now, you'll be able to do anything.' Really? I thought that was probably right, but seven years into it, it's definitely right."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Although Southgate expressed his desire to lead a Premier League club, his previous stint with Middlesbrough did not end on a sweet note as the club was relegated in 2009. Nonetheless, he remains defiant that the England role has equipped him in every way to lead to a top club in the future.
"Everybody would talk about Middlesbrough. 'Oh, he got Middlesbrough relegated'. Well, yeah, in the third year, we got relegated. But I had three years of Premier League management," he said.
"There isn't a job in world football that would intimidate or daunt you, having lived this one (England), frankly. You're not going to have any higher profile, you're not going to have any greater pressure, you're not going to have any more complex issues."
GettyWHAT NEXT?
With managerial positions at top Premier League clubs potentially opening up in the summer of 2024, Southgate's desire to move to the competitive landscape of club football might be fulfilled soon. However, before that, he would like to end his reign with the Three Lions by lifting the Euro 2024 trophy in Germany.
