5 things you probably didn't know about Gareth Southgate

#4 He rejected the England job at first

The unveiling of Southgate as England manager in 2016

After spending three years at the helm as manager of the England U-21 side from 2013 to 2016, Gareth Southgate was offered the caretaker manager role with the England senior football team after Sam Allardyce had resigned after just a single game in charge due to the English football scandal.

Southgate turned down the offer at first but was put in temporary charge of the national team before being appointed as manager of the England national football team on a four-year contract shortly thereafter. According to his former manager and mentor Alan Smith, Southgate turned down the offer because he was holding out for a more substantial offer from the FA.

“I don’t think he was convinced, the way that the job was being put to him… on a short-term contract, on a salary that wasn’t conducive with being the England manager.” Smith commented, “Gareth knows his worth. He’s no fool.”