JibrinLeicester City next manager: Gareth Southgate’s position on ‘huge’ appointment comes to light
Gareth Southgate is not planning a return to management in the near future, despite unexpected reports linking him with the vacant managerial role at Leicester City.
Leicester ended their relationship with Marti Cifuentes after last month’s defeat to Oxford United and are now reviewing several potential candidates to step in as his successor.
Some reports had suggested Southgate could take charge at the King Power Stadium, with the former England manager still unattached following his departure from the national team role in 2024.
However, as I disclosed on the latest episode of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, the 55-year-old currently has no interest in making a comeback to club management.
In addition, the unsettled atmosphere and ongoing relegation struggle at Leicester — intensified by their recent points deduction — has made the role less appealing.
Gareth Southgate dismissed from Leicester City contention
Reports placing Southgate among the contenders for the Leicester vacancy raised eyebrows considering the Foxes’ current circumstances both on and off the field.
He has already been ruled out of consideration for positions at Manchester United and Crystal Palace, so a switch to a Championship side battling near the bottom would have come as a major surprise.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained:
“I don’t think there’s any possibility that Gareth Southgate could return to management with Leicester.
“As we’ve spoken previously, I don’t think he’s in any rush to get back into the managerial hot seat. He’s enjoying what he’s doing right now.
“That Leicester job is a huge job.
“Whoever does take it, they’re now in a relegation dogfight in the championship following that points deduction that they’ve got.
“There’s a lot of issues at Leicester on and off the field right now as well so it’s a real difficult job for whoever does take it.
“But yeah, Gareth Southgate, if he was to return to management, I think he’d be looking probably at bigger job than that.”
Who else is being considered for the Leicester City role?
Other names linked with the Leicester vacancy include Sean Dyche, who was recently dismissed by Nottingham Forest as they fight to steer clear of relegation.
Former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has also been mentioned as a candidate for a return to English football after parting ways with Wolfsburg in 2025.
Steven Gerrard is another possible option for the Foxes, with the former midfielder reportedly open to a managerial comeback despite declining the Rangers role last year.
Leicester have been pulled into a survival battle due to their points deduction and currently sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Only six points separate 23rd-placed Oxford from 19th-placed West Brom, making Leicester’s upcoming managerial appointment vital to their hopes of staying up.
Jibrin
