Southgate considers 'change of direction' after England exit

Southgate brought an end to his eight-year reign as England boss following the heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in July. Despite being linked with Manchester United, the former Middlesbrough boss had said he would not return to the dug-out this season. Now Southgate has hinted he might not take another managerial job, with a potential change of career path in his mind.

In a post on social networking platform LinkedIn on Tuesday, the 54-year-old said: "After eight years serving in one of the highest profile roles in world football, I'm consciously taking time to reflect on what I lived through and thinking deeply about what comes next. "This higher purpose kept me on track, gave me structure, made my life more fulfilling and is going to be extremely difficult to replicate.

"It's why I'm not limiting my future options to remaining as a football coach. "I'm comfortable with this period of 'exploration' and not having all the answers. "I'm not the only 50something contemplating a change of direction." United eventually appointed Ruben Amorim as their new manager after sacking Erik ten Hag, but Southgate would still be a popular figure for other top jobs after his largely successful spell with England.

He guided the country to successive European Championship finals, as well as a World Cup semi-final, although he was unable to lead a squad packed with star players to England's first trophy since the 1966 World Cup. "Looking back there are matches and moments I will remember for the rest of my life," he said.

"Coaching top players was a challenge that pushed me to operate at the very highest level. "The weight of the role with the unique responsibility it carried was something few ever get to experience. "Perhaps the hardest thing of all to replicate though, is going to be the sense of purpose.

"Whenever the National Anthem played pre-game, I was representing 50 million people, their hopes and dreams." Former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was named as Southgate's permanent successor last month. The German will start work in January after Lee Carsley replaced Southgate on an interim basis before returning to his role as England's Under-21 boss in November.