Gareth Southgate has expressed confidence that he could have surpassed the performance of several recent appointments at elite Premier League sides.
The former England manager, who departed his national role following defeat in the Euro 2024 final, shared his thoughts on The Football Boardroom Podcast.
"Do I think I could have done the job that some people who have been in those clubs recently have done? Could I do better? I think I could," the 55-year-old stated.
Manchester United remains the club most frequently associated with Southgate since his departure from international management.
Gareth Southgate reckons he could do a job in the Premier League
|PA
The Old Trafford outfit presently has Michael Carrick serving as interim manager, following unsuccessful tenures from both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
However, Southgate recognises the complications his appointment would present to prospective employers.
"But we've talked about the baggage that comes with me as an appointment if you're an owner," he remarked.
The former Crystal Palace and Aston Villa defender acknowledged the perception surrounding his record with the national team.
"The bit that, externally, people are saying is, 'well, he didn't win'," he explained, adding that this reality makes him "potentially a complicated appointment for a club."
Gareth Southgate has been linked to Manchester United | PASouthgate emphasised that he feels no compulsion to return to domestic management merely for the sake of doing so.
"I've got no passion to just go and manage in the Premier League," he stated.
The 55-year-old reflected on his previous club experience at Middlesbrough, where he achieved mid-table finishes before suffering relegation in his third season.
"I did that at 35, I finished 11th, 12th. Who is in those positions now, probably Bournemouth, Brighton?" he noted.
His time leading the Three Lions, he suggested, represented something far grander than typical club management.
"I've had one of the biggest jobs in world football so I've been spoiled. Huge nights, working with outstanding players. No owner interfering," Southgate reflected.
Southgate revealed that he is not presently pursuing any coaching opportunities, having needed respite after eight years in charge of the national side.
Gareth Southgate guided England to two major finals during his time in the dugout and has emerged as a potential managerial option for Manchester United | PA"Two years after leaving England, I'm not actively looking for a role in coaching," he confirmed.
The former defender described his England tenure as something that "consumed everything" and carried a "higher purpose" given its national significance.
Looking ahead, Southgate expressed enthusiasm for what lies beyond football management.
"There is another 15-20 years of my life ahead of me and I'm excited about a different video, a different movie, a different part of my life," he said.