Gareth Southgate respond to Manchester United link

England manager Gareth Southgate

England boss Gareth Southgate has responded to speculation that he has been approached to become the next Manchester United manager at the end of the season.

Southgate emerged as a leading contender for the United job despite the impressive start to life at Old Trafford under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since the departure of Jose Mourinho.

While Solskjaer has overseen seven straight wins since his arrival, the first manager to ever achieve the feat with United, Southgate has earned a sterling reputation with the national team.

After winning 27 of his 33 games in charge of the U-21 side and leading them to the Toulon Tournament triumph, he was appointed initially in a caretaker capacity of the Three Lions. He’s since gone on to earn a permanent role and led England to the last-four of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

However, when questioned about the Red Devils speculation, the former Middlesbrough head coach suggest that he holds no interest in vacating his current post.

“I’m the England manager and it’s a privileged position to be in,” Southgate told Sky Sports when asked about the speculation.

“We’ve had the best year for 28 years and we’ve got a semi-final this summer and a European Championship that’s predominantly at Wembley, providing we take care of business to qualify.

“So it’s a hugely exciting time with the team. I don’t think we’ve progressed as far as we can yet. I think there’s room for us to grow.”

The 48-year-old added: “I am still a young coach. I’ve managed less than 200 matches, so, for me, it’s an honour to be in the role I’m in and I thoroughly enjoy it.” – bbc.com