Sir Gareth Southgate is set to step into a very different kind of spotlight after agreeing to host a brand-new BBC show, his first role since stepping down as England manager.
The 54-year-old, who guided the Three Lions to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final during his eight-year reign, will front One of a Kind, a podcast-style series where he sits down with leading figures from business and beyond.
According to The Sun, producers at the BBC believe Southgate’s thoughtful personality and reputation as a calm, reflective leader make him perfectly suited to the project.
He is expected to earn around £50,000 for the series, which will initially air on BBC Sounds but could later find a home on television or iPlayer.
Gareth Southgate is set to step into a very different kind of spotlight after agreeing to host a brand-new BBC show, his first role since stepping down as England manager
|PA
A source close to the production said: “The Beeb are excited to have landed Gareth in what will be his first hosting role.
"It’s a real coup. He’ll be interviewing successful people from different spheres of industry, moving away from sport into mainstream inspirational stories.
"Gareth is a philosophical man and producers think he’ll be great at having in-depth chats with interview subjects.
"He’ll be peeling back the layers to reveal fascinating insights into their experiences.”
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The series is described as an opportunity for Southgate to showcase another side of himself.
While he became known for his waistcoat, humility and calm authority during England’s most successful spell in decades, his interest in leadership and psychology long predates his managerial career.
He has often spoken about studying the methods of top figures outside sport and even incorporated those lessons into his work with the national team.
It is no coincidence, then, that Southgate has chosen this path.
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Gareth Southgate quit as England manager last summer following their failure to win Euro 2024
|PA
Since stepping away from the England dugout last summer following their failure to win Euro 2024, he has been in no rush to return to football.
Speaking earlier this month, he admitted: “You can’t say never to anything… but it’s not something I’m actively looking at.
"I’m enjoying my life. I’ve got quite a lot on.
"I’m in the middle of writing a book and I’ve got several business interests.
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Gareth Southgate guided England to two major finals during his time in the dugout
| PA"I do some work on leadership… but I’ve also got time to travel and play a bit of golf.”
The move marks a clear shift for a man valued at around £10 million, who has deliberately avoided rushing back into management despite potential offers from both club and international football.
He was heavily linked with Manchester United last year following the departure of Erik ten Hag.
However, the Red Devils ended up going for Ruben Amorim instead - who has since struggled to find any sort of consistency over at Old Trafford.
Sir Gareth Southgate has insisted he's in no rush to return to football management
| ReutersSouthgate was also linked with West Ham, too.
The Hammers appointed Graham Potter earlier this year, however, with the 50-year-old also under pressure following a rough start to the new season.