ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Former England coach Gareth Southgate said Thursday he will be taking a year away from a club or national team job, after speculation he could be a target for Manchester United.

Gareth Southgate says he intends to have one year away from coaching after leaving his role as England manager in July. The 54-year-old spent eight years in charge of the national side, as well as three years leading England’s under-21s,

The former England manager has separated himself from potentially taking over as Manchester United boss should a managerial change come to fruition.

Former England manager, Gareth Southgate, is hitting the pause button on his coaching career for at least a year. The 54-year-old stepped down after England’s

Gareth Southgate has said he will not return to coaching in the next year, effectively ruling himself out of the running to replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager. Ten Hag has not been sacked but his position is tenuous, with club directors giving him two more games to save his job.

Former England manager Gareth Southgate has ruled out returning to coaching for at least year despite interest from Manchester United should they decide to sack Erik ten Hag.