Gareth Southgate lined up for huge job after quitting as England boss and nobody saw this one coming

Gareth Southgate is being lined up for a huge job after stepping down as England manager.

Earlier this month Southgate announced his resignation from the role following England's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

He took charge of 105 games during his eight-year run and led England to two finals.

The Football Association have started the process to replace him and have an interim solution in place if a new permanent boss hasn't been appointed by the time the Nations League rolls around in September.

Southgate is enjoying a break from a taxing spell in charge of England but the Daily Mail reports that he could be back in work sooner rather than later.

It's claimed that the BBC have made Southgate their primary target to replace Ian Wright on Match of the Day.

The Arsenal legend left at the end of last season to take a "step back" 27 years on from his debut on the show.

Southgate is wanted by the broadcaster, though ITV are also interested in bringing him back into the fold.

Image: Getty

Prior to becoming England manager, the 53-year-old previously served as a pundit for ITV alongside the likes of Roy Keane and Lee Dixon as well as presenter Adrian Chiles.

He worked on England games, as well as covering the Champions League and FA Cup.

If he was to make the switch to the BBC, it could be an interesting dynamic with long-time host Gary Lineker and regular panelist Alan Shearer.

The pair of England legends were critical of the displays produced by the Three Lions in Germany on the Rest is Football podcast throughout the tournament.

Although not a personal attack, Lineker did say Southgate was "tactically inept" and added the performance in the 1-1 draw with Denmark was "s**t".

Image: Getty

Captain Harry Kane ended up responding in a press conference.

But the BBC want Southgate in the hotseat for the 60th anniversary of Match of the Day and think there could be "a few fireworks" on air with he and Lineker.

Match of the Day is filmed at Media City in Salford, around a 90 minute drive from where Southgate lives in Harrogate.