Gareth Southgate is the ideal candidate for Man Utd
The England manager's emphasis on nurturing young talent and fostering team principles could rejuvenate the Red Devils.
The manager of the Three Lions has initiated a cultural overhaul within a faltering national institution and has the potential to replicate this transformation at Old Trafford.
Although Gareth Southgate prefers not to discuss his future plans, speculation surrounding his next move is inevitable. While focusing on England's upcoming friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium as they prepare for Euro 2024, attention on Southgate's potential next steps will only intensify.
Southgate has yet to commit to managing England beyond the summer, aiming to alleviate pressure on his players as they aim for their first major trophy in 58 years. However, this uncertainty naturally prompts questions about whether he's considering other opportunities. One of the most coveted positions in English football is managing Manchester United.
Recent reports suggest that Southgate has emerged as the frontrunner for the United job, fueled by speculation that new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen on bringing him to Old Trafford. Despite Erik ten Hag's notable achievements, including a remarkable FA Cup victory over Liverpool, Ratcliffe and his INEOS associates reportedly remain unconvinced about Ten Hag's suitability to lead the club forward.
While some Manchester United fans might agree with the evaluation, considering the team's current sixth position in the Premier League and their 16 losses this season, it's unlikely that many would celebrate if Gareth Southgate were announced as Erik ten Hag's eventual replacement.
However, upon closer examination of Southgate's accomplishments with England, where he took over during a challenging period, there are numerous compelling reasons why he could be the perfect candidate to rejuvenate the struggling Red Devils.
Ashworth connection
Should Gareth Southgate accept the offer to lead Manchester United, he would collaborate with familiar faces with whom he shares a deep mutual respect. Southgate has had a longstanding relationship with Dan Ashworth, who is likely to become United's next sporting director. Their association dates back over a decade to their time working together at England's headquarters.
Ashworth's appointment as England's director of elite development coincided with Southgate's role as head coach of the Under-21 team in 2013. Together with head of development teams Matt Crocker, they collaborated on drafting the England DNA document, which laid the groundwork for the subsequent success of both the men's and women's national teams.
Southgate has publicly lauded Ashworth's contributions to England's journey to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, while Ashworth, who has agreed to join United but is currently on gardening leave from Newcastle, has commended Southgate as "an exceptional leader" and highlighted his adeptness in managing people.
Ashworth emphasized Southgate's ability to extract the best from players and staff, noting that under his leadership, a cohesive working environment has been established where everyone feels integrated into one unified group.
No good culture
Southgate's interest in Dave Brailsford's approach to keeping players engaged, particularly those not always in the starting lineup, is intriguing, especially considering Manchester United's struggles with team cohesion since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure 11 years ago.
Erik ten Hag has made efforts to address this issue, adopting a strict approach demonstrated by his handling of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving a match early and Jadon Sancho's social media incident. However, publicly questioning Sancho's commitment has drawn criticism and portrayed the club in a messy light. It's unlikely that Southgate would handle a similar situation in the same manner.
Ten Hag has attempted to instill discipline and rigorous physical training but has encountered challenges both on and off the pitch. Incidents like Marcus Rashford's night out before a training session suggest a lack of full respect for the manager, despite his efforts.
United's struggles with player discipline and character in the dressing room have persisted across multiple managers. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed instances where players refused to take on the captaincy for certain matches and allegedly stopped putting in effort during his final game in charge against Watford.
Taking on cliques
Southgate could be well-suited to address Manchester United's issues. Prior to his tenure as England coach in 2016, the team faced similar challenges to those currently affecting United. However, Southgate has taken a different approach compared to Ten Hag, focusing on building consensus rather than imposing his ideas forcefully.
Under Southgate's leadership, England has undergone a significant cultural transformation, fostering a much happier and unified atmosphere within the squad. Divisions that were prevalent during previous eras, such as the 'Golden Generation' team of the 2006 World Cup, have been replaced with a culture of unity.
According to former England U20s coach Paul Simpson, Southgate has created an environment where players genuinely enjoy being part of the national team. This stands in contrast to previous years, where there were reports of cliques and a negative atmosphere within the squad.
Expert communicator
Southgate stands out for his exceptional communication skills, particularly in navigating media scrutiny with composure and clarity. Even in challenging situations, such as when his team faced criticism from government officials for taking a knee, he has adeptly articulated his perspective.
In contrast, Ten Hag struggles in this aspect. While operating in a second language poses its challenges, he has occasionally appeared out of touch, as demonstrated by his comments regarding a penalty incident against Arsenal from six months prior.
Effective communication with the media may not be as crucial as managing players and staff, but it remains an integral aspect of the job. Mishandling media relations can exacerbate a manager's difficulties. Southgate's proficiency in this area would serve him well under the intense scrutiny at Manchester United.
Fearless with young players
Southgate's strongest rapport lies in his relationship with his players, particularly his adept management of young talents like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden. He has skillfully balanced their development, knowing when to introduce them into key matches.
While leveraging the experience of seasoned players like Harry Kane and Harry Maguire, Southgate's team ethos has always revolved around youth. This aligns well with Manchester United's tradition of promoting academy graduates, making him a suitable candidate for the Old Trafford dugout.
Wayne Rooney commended Southgate for his fearlessness in integrating young players into the squad, a departure from previous managers' approaches. Under Southgate's guidance, England's young talents have gained valuable experience and confidence, contributing to the team's success.
Despite critics who argue that Southgate could have achieved more with England, his tenure has seen unprecedented success. He led England to their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years and their first major final in 55 years. In the 2018 World Cup, they competed fiercely against eventual champions France, with a missed Harry Kane penalty denying them a chance at extra-time.
Ready for club football
As England heads into the European Championship this summer with high expectations, Gareth Southgate's leadership has propelled them to the status of tournament favorites. His success on the international stage has sparked discussions about his potential return to club football after eight years.
Despite a brief stint with Middlesbrough where he faced relegation after two mid-table Premier League finishes, Southgate seems eager to rectify his previous record in club management. In a December interview with Sky Sports, he expressed confidence in his abilities, citing his experience in handling high-pressure situations.
Southgate's openness to new challenges has led to speculation about a possible move to Manchester United, following in the footsteps of Jose Mourinho's transition from international to club management. United's evolving structure under INEOS's ownership could provide a conducive environment for Southgate to thrive.
Given his track record of revitalizing teams from challenging positions, Southgate could be a promising candidate to lead another sleeping giant back to glory.
