Insider: 54-yr-old 'said no' to Man United job

Gareth Southgate was unwilling to take over at Man United after Erik ten Hag was sacked, according to the club’s former chief scout. Mick Brown,... The post Insider: 54-yr-old 'said no' to Man United job appeared first on Football Insider.

Oct 31, 2024 - 22:00

Insider: 54-yr-old 'said no' to Man United job

Gareth Southgate was unwilling to take over at Man United after Erik ten Hag was sacked, according to the club’s former chief scout.

Mick Brown, who worked at United for over a decade during their most successful period and remains very well-connected within the club, exclusively told Football Insider that Southgate’s decision to rule himself out was essentially him turning down United.

Ruben Amorim has since emerged as the top target for the role, but Brown confirmed the interest in Southgate was genuine before he stepped out of the running.

The former England boss, 54, ruled out a return to coaching for the next year, having stepped down as the national team manager following a defeat in the Euro 2024 final.

He had long been considered a top target for INEOS after impressing during his spell in international management, but they were forced to turn their attention elsewhere.

Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 October that United had held talks with Amorim prior to Ten Hag’s sacking, and he is now expected to take over the top job.

Gareth Southgate response to Man United job revealed

Brown told Football Insider on 14 October that United were forced to consider alternative options after leading targets had dropped out of contention for the role.

Now, the former United chief scout has insisted that Southgate would have rejected any interest from United should an offer have arrived.

“I don’t think he could’ve been tempted,” he told Football Insider.

“He ruled himself out of management when, as far as I know, he was aware of the interest.

“That shows you he wasn’t really interested in it to begin with, so not only would I not have expected him to be offered the role, I think he would’ve turned it down.

“He just wasn’t open to that job at this time.

“I’m not sure the club would have taken well to that and I’m not convinced the fans would have either if he eventually took the job after ruling himself out.