Gareth Southgate: No job could ever be as fulfilling as managing England

Southgate: 'I know to win with this team, nothing would mean as much to me.'
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Gareth Southgate says no other coaching job could ever be as fulfilling as managing England.

Southgate became a hero when he helped restore national pride in the England team by guiding them to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, following a series of major tournament disappointments.

The Three Lions followed that up by reaching the inaugural Uefa Nations League finals and were set to go into this summer’s European Championships among the favourites, before the coronavirus pandemic forced the tournament to be pushed back 12 months.

The 49-year-old’s achievements have seen him linked with a number of major club roles, including the Manchester United job. However, his contract with the FA runs until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and he says enjoying success with England would mean more than elsewhere.

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“For me personally, I feel as if we can still improve,” he told GQ magazine. “Hopefully there’s still enough goodwill for me to be the person that leads us forward.

“I know it’d be very hard to find a role that would mean as much to me and that would be as fulfilling.

“As England manager, there’s the team and winning, but you can also affect some bigger aspects of society and try to be a force for good, with projects we can be involved with, charities we support or young people we can inspire.

“I know there won’t be another role in my life through which I have that opportunity to make a difference. In that sense, nothing will be as fulfilling. And I know to win with this team, nothing would mean as much to me.”

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