Gareth Southgate a FAVOURITE for Manchester United job after stepping down as England boss

GARETH SOUTHGATE’S odds of becoming the next Manchester United manager have been slashed following his England resignation.

Southgate, 53, has stepped down from his role at the Three Lions following Sunday’s heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

Gareth Southgate is a favourite for Man Utd job after stepping down as England boss

Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a huge admirer of Southgate’s

Erik ten Hag recently penned a one-year extension

It brings to an end his eight-year tenure where he managed 102 England games.

His pragmatic approach was heavily criticised throughout the tournament, with many fans feeling he was holding back the best set of players in Germany.

However, that style took England to a second successive European Championship final, adding to the World Cup semi final run in his first tournament in charge back in 2018.

He’d already been linked with a new job in punditry before this morning’s announcement, though it now looks like staying in management could be a real possibility.

That’s because bookmakers William Hill have slashed the odds of him being the next Manchester United manager – where he’s now a JOINT-FAVOURITE alongside another unemployed boss in Mauricio Pochettino.

It has to be said, United aren’t currently looking for a new manager, having recently handed Erik ten Hag a year’s extension to keep him at the club until 2026.

That didn’t look likely for much of the campaign, with the FA Cup success over rivals Manchester City a huge factor in the hierarchy sticking by the Dutchman.

But Southgate was reportedly the number one choice of Sir Jim Ratcliffe to be the United boss during his takeover process, with new technical director Jason Wilcox also a huge admirer.

Dan Ashworth – the club’s new Sporting Director – was reported to have recently had dinner with Southgate, with the pair having previously worked together at the FA.

Southgate’s potential appointment was said to be universally welcome by those in the club, including the United players – with the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford having all worked under him.

That could put huge pressure on Ten Hag in the early stages of the season, having already overseen a 1-0 pre-season defeat to Rosenborg this week.

Southgate joins Poch at the top of the betting market at 2/1, with Roberto De Zerbi trailing at 5/1 and Kieran McKenna a 6/1 shot.

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