Former England international Danny Mills has called on Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate to potentially replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
A host of high profile names and former United players have been linked with the post at Old Trafford following the Portuguese’s sacking on Tuesday, but Mills believes Southgate has been unfairly ignored.
“I tell you whose name hasn’t been thrown into this – Gareth Southgate,” he told Sky Sports. “If I was Manchester United, who would I want as my next permanent manager? I’d want a feel-good factor, someone to bring through young players, somebody that plays in the right way, somebody that can connect and reconnect with the fans all over the world.
“I’m not sure he would want the job, and I’m not sure they could get him. But surely he’d have to come into the reckoning if you’re Manchester United. I just think he is a name that is out there. Look at how well he’s done. He’s just got Coach of the Year, is that the sort of person Manchester United need?”
OPINION
It is strange that Southgate has barely been mentioned as a potential replacement for Mourinho at United, but why shouldn’t he be considered? He has done a phenomenal job with what was long considered a poisoned chalice as England boss, and the United post is something similar to that at this point in time. Furthermore, he has coaxed excellent performances out of Red Devils stars Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard with the national team, and you wonder what he could do with the likes of Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial. He is an exceptionally modern manager, whereas Mourinho appeared stuck in the stone age towards the end of his United reign. There would be risks with Southgate, of course. He hasn’t managed at club level for a long time, and didn’t pull up any trees when he was at Middlesbrough. He’s not a massive name like Mauricio Pochettino or Laurent Blanc, but he could end up doing for United what he’s done for England.