Gareth Southgate favorite for nationwide workforce job as FA again Thomas Tuchel

Gareth Southgate has been out of management since leaving England after Euro 2024, but the former Three Lions boss could be set for a return to the dugout as USA head coach

England fans might be having big regrets right now, but former England boss Gareth Southgate has been tipped to take over from Mauricio Pochettino as head coach of the United States. It comes mere hours after the Three Lions’ World Cup exit.

Southgate, 55, has been out of the managerial game since parting ways with England following a defeat in the Euro 2024 final. He had held the reins for nearly eight years, steering the Three Lions to a semi-final and quarter-final at the World Cup, as well as consecutive European Championship finals.

Despite failing to guide the Three Lions to their first major trophy in over half a century, Southgate did an exceptional job of restoring them to the upper echelons of international football.

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Now, two years on from his departure from the England setup, Southgate could be poised for a return to the dugout, with the former Middlesbrough manager being touted as a potential successor to Pochettino at USA following their heavy Round of 16 defeat. ESPN have suggested that Southgate could be considered should Pochettino vacate his post.

Senior editor Caitlin Murray notes: “We’ve seen a lot of successful club coaches make the jump to the international game ahead of this World Cup without a ton to show for it: not just Mauricio Pochettino, but Carlo Ancelotti, Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick, Hugo Broos and others.”, reports the Mirror.

“The international game – especially an eight-game tournament – just doesn’t work the same way as the 30-plus-game season of a club game. And let’s be clear: With the U.S. now having a permanently cushy World Cup qualification path thanks to the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, all the USMNT’s focus ought to be on the 2030 World Cup. Does anyone really care if the U.S. wins the Concacaf Nations League?”.

“And so, the USMNT needs a manager with a proven track record on the international level and in tournament soccer. On that basis, Southgate warrants a look.”

Pochettino’s position as USMNT manager is in jeopardy with his deal due to run out this summer. The Argentine was appointed ahead of the home World Cup but watched his USA team crash out following a 4-1 thrashing by Belgium.

Conjecture has subsequently mounted over whether Pochettino will continue as US boss going forwards after he was touted for a surprise Premier League comeback and the position – which has since been taken – at AC Milan.

Speaking following the defeat to Belgium – which brought an end to a spirited USA World Cup campaign – Pochettino declined to discuss his future amid claims he might head back to Europe. “Now is not a moment to talk about that,” he stated during his post-match media briefing at the time.

“I think now is a moment to see, to assess the tournament. You know, I’m sure in the next weeks we can start to talk if [U.S. Soccer] wants to talk.”