Former England manager Gareth Southgate says he is in no rush to return to management and could even step away from football when he takes his next job.
Southgate resigned as Three Lions manager in July, ending an eight-year reign, shortly after their defeat to Spain in the EURO 2024 final.
He has been linked with a potential successor to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, but has ruled out a quick return to management.
"Everyone knows I need to get my energy back and enjoy my life. I'm not going to rush into anything and need to make the right decisions," Southgate told Sky News on Wednesday (September 11).
"I have a lot of opportunities. I'm open to what's next in or out of football. I'll need time, refresh and recharge and then go from there."
Lee Carsley was appointed as England's interim manager following Southgate's departure, and he has made a good start to his quest for a permanent contract with wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the 2024-25 Nations League.
Southgate said the freshness brought by the new coaching staff and a host of new players justified his decision to step down, but the 54-year-old did not forget to reiterate that he had put England “back on the map” at major international tournaments.
Under Southgate, England reached the final of EURO 2020, the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
However, they are yet to end their long wait for a first major tournament win since the 1966 World Cup on home soil.
"We've raised the bar and we needed to put English football back on the map and we're consistently at the top," added Southgate.
“It was the right time for a change. Now you see the hope that change can bring. I'm happy with that. Eight years is a long time and I'm looking forward to different challenges ahead - and enjoying the rest.”
