Gareth Southgate tipped to replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host after shock career update from ex-England boss

Gareth Southgate has been tipped for a surprise new role after ruling himself out of the Manchester United job.

Southgate stepped down as England boss in the summer after the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

It his 105th and final game during an eight-year run where he led the Three Lions to two finals.

Lee Carsley was drafted in as interim manager, with a search for a permanent coach still ongoing.

Southgate has been strongly linked as a replacement for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, with INEOS believed to be huge admirers of him.

The former Middlesbrough manager has been working as a technical observer for UEFA and recently claimed he will not return to coaching anytime soon.

"I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that," he admitted, speaking at the ECA general assembly.

"I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time."

However there have been reports that he could head into punditry, with both the BBC and ITV interested.

And surprisingly, former England teammate Paul Gascoigne believes he could be a possible replacement for Gary Lineker when he steps away from presenting Match of the Day.

Image: Getty

“Lineker is quitting Match of the Day isn't he and I thought, I wonder if (Alan) Shearer is going to take over, or Southgate because he's been doing a little bit of commentary," Gascoigne told SportsCasting, as per the Express.

"I reckon Shearer will take over because he loves a bit of money. He's so tight he only cries from one eye! If Man United do get rid of (Erik) ten Hag, I could see Gareth Southgate taking over as manager.”

Lineker, the BBC's top earner on £1.35 million a year, has been in the role for 25 years and is believed to be in discussions over a new contract.

“It depends how long they want me, I suppose," Lineker said on his future on BBC breakfast earlier this year.

"I love doing it at the moment; I've still got another year left, at least. So we'll have to wait and see what happens.

“Obviously it's another change in football and television and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that. All of these things will play a part. But I just feel it's been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old!”

Image: Getty

He played off speculation about his time being up sooner rather than later with a joke in his most recent Match of the Day opener, saying: Seven games on the way and it's my final show.... Before the international break.”

The former England striker has named Micah Richards as a potential heir to his throne, while Mark Chapman, Alex Scott and Gabby Logan are among the names mentioned.