When Gareth was away on sabbatical

After leaving Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp announced he'll avoid any coaching job for at least a year. And the German tactician kept his promise, joining Red Bull as their global head of soccer.

That sort of a year-long hiatus was mentioned again on Thursday, only this time by former England manager Gareth Southgate. Speaking at the European Club Association general assembly in Athens, the 54-year-old Southgate said he won't return to a coaching role for at least a year.

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Southgate resigned from the England job after the defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July. He spent eight years in the Three Lions dugout, guiding them to back-to-back Euro finals, as well as a fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.

"I won't coach in the next year for sure, I'm certain of that," he said. "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. I'm enjoying my life, so there's no rush."

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Just like Klopp, Southgate is also considering some other roles aside from coaching.

"I'm fortunate that there are lots of different opportunities that are presenting themselves. The business side of football is really interesting," said Southgate.

"I've been invited to speak at Harvard and there's lots of exciting life experiences to have.

"I'm 54 and want to enjoy and be really motivated for the next 10 to 15 years of my life and the most important thing is to give myself time to make good decisions."

A man with a plan or just a lucky duck

Southgate says he will not coach another international team and will be careful before returning to the club environment. He previously managed Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009.

"Clubs can only be successful if everything is aligned, right the way through the club," he said.

"I also know that maybe the smarter people sit in the boardrooms and the coaches are a little bit more dispensable than you think when you are there.

"As a coach you think you're the most important person. I sat in every boardroom in our country for eight years and realised you're only a small piece in this whole thing," concluded he.