Sam Allardyce insists that England boss Gareth Southgate does not want the Manchester United job despite being linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Allardyce managed England for one game in 2016 and he was replaced by Southgate, who has gone on to guide England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2022, as well as the final of Euro 2020. He has since been linked with a potential move to United, with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said to be a fan of the ex-Middlesbrough boss, but Allardyce is doubtful he would be willing to make the jump to Old Trafford.
England are currently in the thick of preparations for Euro 2024 and recently played Brazil and Belgium in international friendlies, losing to the former and drawing 2-2 with the latter. Southgate was asked about the prospect of managing United and he hit back at the speculation, insisting that it was “disrespectful”, especially so close to a major tournament.
Allardyce told William Hill: “I’m not so sure if Gareth walked away from the England job that he’d want the job at Manchester United, he’d want a rest! He’s feeling the pressure already at England, which is unbelievable at times, and yes it’s alright in the in between periods, but when it’s on, it’s really on.
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“The difference with United is that it’s on every day, every week, every month, every year – the intrusion is never ending. I’m not sure he’d want that after all he’s done for England, he certainly wouldn’t want to jump into it straight away.
“I think the speculation around Gareth Southgate going to Manchester United has come from the new owners that have come in. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has come in and there’s enough pressure at Manchester United as it is being the manager, without that constant nagging in the back of your mind wondering whether Jim is really considering Gareth Southgate.
“I don’t know whether they have sat down Erik ten Hag and said, ‘Look, this is not going to happen’.”
England will continue to prepare for Euro 2024, where they will play Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia in the group stages. United, by comparison, return to action in the Premier League this weekend, against Brentford.
