Gareth Southgate has announced his departure from the England squad this morning to join one of the biggest clubs in world football

When his time as England’s coach comes to an end, Gareth Southgate isn’t phased by the prospect of going back to managing a club.

Southgate left his position as a club manager almost fifteen years ago. He was fired by Middlesbrough in 2009 after three seasons at the Riverside Stadium.

Southgate has had success since then, most notably as the manager of the England Under-21 team prior to taking over as senior national team coach in 2016. Southgate has led the Three Lions to an incredible turnaround in England’s international results during his time there.

Under his direction, England made history in 2018 by making it to the World Cup semi-finals—a feat not seen since 1990—and advanced to the Euro 2020 final, its first major tournament final since 1966.

His current contract expires at the end of 2024, and there is a lot of talk that Euro 2024 will be his last competition as the head coach of the Three Lions.

It is expected that Southgate would return to club management after serving with England. He claimed in an interview with Sky Sports that he is not scared by the possibility, noting his extensive background as the national team’s coach:

“I had significantly less expertise than I do today when I was 35 years old and managing in the Premier League, finishing 12th and 13th. Having experienced this situation, there isn’t a managerial position in international football that you should be afraid of or intimidated by.

“I remember having a talk with Jose [Mourinho] when he was at Manchester United. “After you’ve finished your current role, you’ll be equipped to tackle anything,” he said to me.

“I thought at the time that it might be true, but after seven years, I’m positive. I’m confident in my current position and in what’s to come.

“I don’t think I’ll stay in this role for 20 or 30 years, but I don’t know what the future holds either. I’m not worried about what it might contain, though, and I’m at ease about it.