England boss Gareth Southgate has brushed off speculation linking him with a summer move to Manchester United.
Southgate is currently preparing to lead the Three Lions at Euro 2024, with the tournament in Germany getting underway in the middle of June.
However, with his contract due to expire at the end of 2024, there is naturally talk of interest in a manager who has reached a World Cup semi-final and the Euro 2020 final.
Up until recently, the 53-year-old had only been linked with a return to domestic football in general terms, with taking over a Premier League club a realistic step.
Last week, though, reports emerged that Man United were admirers of Southgate and had already instigated discussions with his entourage over a potential switch to Old Trafford after the end of the European Championship.
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Those rumours have intensified with United enduring a dismal end to the top-flight campaign, Erik ten Hag's side at real risk of missing out on European qualification.
Furthermore, it has widely been claimed that the Dutchman is highly likely to be removed from his position in the dugout, regardless of whether United are able to defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
What has Southgate had to say?
The topic of Man United came up in an interview with BBC Sport, but Southgate would not be lulled into playing anything other than a straight bat when quizzed on the speculation.
He said: "There will always be speculation about managers, because if you lose a couple of games, you're in trouble - you win a couple of games and it is a different agenda.
"But for me, it [Euro 2024] is a brilliant opportunity. We're looking forward to the tournament. My focus is on how do we go a step further than we went in the last Euros [when they were beaten on penalties in the final by Italy."
On his own situation, he added: "Well, for me, it's not an issue and never has been. I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there's enough work involved in that. I think everybody would expect that's where my focus should be."
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Could Southgate agree a deal with Man United?
Theoretically, Southgate appears to be an ideal successor to Ten Hag and seems to be placed highly on the shortlist of minority United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
That said, it feels that the timing is not right for either party, with United needing to press ahead with plans for a major rebuild as soon as the season reaches a conclusion.
With Southgate wanting to focus on England and potentially not in a position to depart that role until the middle of July, it comes as little surprise that he is remaining firm with his stance.
After being in charge of the national team since September 2016, Southgate would also plausibly want a break before taking on the challenge of rebuilding one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Darren Plant
