Former England manager Gareth Southgate has reportedly set out his conditions for a potential move to Manchester United, insisting that the club would need to commit to a four-year rebuild if he is to consider taking charge.
Current United boss, Ruben Amorim, is under growing pressure following a poor run of results. Since his appointment in November 2024, the Portuguese coach has managed only 18 wins in 49 matches, a win rate of just 36.7 per cent.
With the Red Devils languishing in 14th place ahead of Saturday’s clash with newly promoted Sunderland, speculation over his future continues to intensify.
Southgate stepped down as England manager after their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, he has been consistently linked with Old Trafford since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group bought into the club last year.
According to reports, the 55-year-old is open to talks but wants guarantees of patience from the board, stressing that United’s return to Champions League contention could take as long as four years.
The former England boss is believed to favour gradual, long-term change over instant results, but he remains cautious about returning to management. For now, he is focused on media work, including a BBC project and promoting his new book, Dear England: Lessons in Leadership.
Supporters and pundits remain divided on whether Southgate is the right man for the job. Former England defender Joleon Lescott, however, believes he could be the ideal candidate, praising his ability to build culture and unity during his time with the national team.
Southgate has not managed a club side since leaving Middlesbrough in 2009, but his track record with England leading them to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final continues to fuel belief that he could oversee a similar transformation at United.
For Amorim, the immediate focus is survival. Anything short of victory against Sunderland this weekend could intensify calls for change in the United dugout.
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