Gareth Southgate addresses Manchester United job links as England plan for Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate says any interest in him from Manchester United is a “complete irrelevance” ahead of Euro 2024.
The England manager has emerged as a possible frontrunner to succeed Erik ten Hag if the Dutchman leaves Old Trafford.
But Southgate insists his sole focus is planning for the Euros.
“I've got one thing to focus on,” he told ITV News. “That's having as successful a tournament with England as possible.
“Everything else outside of that is a complete irrelevance to me.”
In an interview with the BBC, Southgate said: “There will always be speculation about managers, because if you lose a couple of games, you're in trouble - you win a couple of games and it is a different agenda.
“But for me, it [Euro 2024] is a brilliant opportunity. We're looking forward to the tournament.
“My focus is on how do we go a step further than we went in the last Euros [when they were beaten on penalties in the final by Italy].”
Southgate has entered the final six months of his contract with England.
The Football Association (FA) are keen for him to remain in charge but his future seems unlikely to be sorted until after the tournament this summer.
Southgate, meanwhile, insists his contract situation is not a distraction.
“For me, it's not an issue and never has been," he said. "I have to deliver a successful tournament for England and there's enough work involved in that. I think everybody would expect that's where my focus should be.”