Why Gareth Southgate is perfect for Manchester United – TheMastermindSite

Despite much in the way of scrutiny and skepticism, Gareth Southgate will undoubtedly go down as one of England’s most successful managers of all time. Throughout his tenure in charge of the Three Lions, the former Middlesbrough boss took his country to the brink of glory on several occasions, including the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and back-to-back Euro Finals.

As we know, all three of those endeavours ended in defeat. First, it was Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time winner in Moscow, before the giant Gianluigi Donnarumma became Italy’s penalty shootout hero. Most recently in Berlin, it looked as though lady luck would finally swing England’s way when Cole Palmer netted a late equalizer in the Euro 2024 final against Spain. But unfortunately, a 58th year of pain reared its head in the form of Mikel Oyarzabal. 

Under mounting pressure, Southgate stood down as England manager following that final. Despite the success that he had brought his nation, the criticism of his pragmatism and lack of tactical innovation were ultimately too much to handle. But if rumors are to be believed, the 54-year-old might not be out of work for long. 

Manchester United Rumors 

Current Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag was given a new lease of life at the back end of last season as he led the Red Devils to a win against cross-city rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final. That victory was supposed to kickstart a new era at Old Trafford, and the club’s hierarchy backed their Dutch boss. 

They refused to pull the trigger and fire the former Ajax man, despite him finishing down in eighth place in the league. They also backed him in the transfer market, splashing the cash on new additions such as Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Joshua Zirkzee. However, the club has not yet been rewarded for their faith. 

United have lost two of their opening three Premier League games, including a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpool on home turf. Those results have left Bovada online sportsbook to price the Red Devils as long as +400 to secure a spot in the top four, with eight teams having shorter odds.

As such, Ten Hag’s days are rumored to be numbered once more, and none other than Southgate is the man who could be the favorite to replace him. And while he has his critics, here’s why Southgate would be perfect for the Old Trafford hotseat. 

Leadership & MAN-MANAGEMENT

Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England manager has been marked by his exceptional leadership skills and his ability to manage diverse personalities within a team. He’s been able to get the best out of the likes of Harry Maguire or Raheem Sterling, when other managers couldn’t. Maguire was a stalwart under Southgate’s tenure, hardly putting a foot wrong at the Euros in 2021. Sterling meanwhile was arguably England’s best player as they reached the final of that tournament.

Combine that with his ability to get the squad to continue to back him and each other under immense criticism, and you clearly have a man that faces pressure with an air of coolness and composure.

After faltering their way through the group stages with two draws, the knives were being sharpened in the English media. But despite everything seemingly falling around him, Southgate managed to cultivate a siege mentality. That do-or-die mindset led England to the final, thanks to last-gasp winners against both Slovakia in the Round of 16, and the Netherlands in the semifinals, as well as a penalty shootout win sandwiched between those in the semifinals. 

Such a mindset would be perfect at Old Trafford, notorious for having a demanding fan-base. If Southgate can cultivate an environment that tunes out the negative noise, he can thrive in charge of a club like United, just as he did for The Three Lions. 

Experience in High-Pressure Situations

Southgate’s experience in high-pressure scenarios provides him with a solid foundation to handle the intense scrutiny that comes with managing a club of United’s stature. His calm demeanor and composed decision-making during critical moments have been hallmarks of his leadership style, helping him to build trust and confidence among his players. Plus, he has managed to thrive when the chips are down. 

Southgate managed to win 75% of the penalty shootouts contested across his tenure – a far cry from years gone by. If that wasn’t enough, England won more knockout matches under Southgate than every manager since the 1966 World Cup combined. Indeed, he is the man for the big occasion, and that is exactly who Manchester United needs to appoint as Erik Ten Hag’s successor. 

Familiarity with Key Players

Another factor that potentially positions Southgate as a suitable candidate is his familiarity with several key players within the Manchester United squad. Having worked with the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, and Mason Mount during his time with England, Southgate has already established rapport and understanding with these players. Not only has he worked with many of these players at the highest level of performance, but also been able to bring out the best in their strengths. He gave Mason Mount a starring role at the Euros in 2021 and could be the ideal choice for bringing out the best in the former Chelsea man once more.

All four men have been key players for the Three Lions under their former boss, and such pre-existing relationships could facilitate a smoother transition and enable him to integrate more effectively into the club’s fabric.

So that is why Gareth Southgate is perfect for Manchester United! Thanks for reading and see you soon.

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