Gareth Southgate rejected for national team job as FA chief explains why they turned down former England manager

Gareth Southgate will not take charge of the Poland national team after the president of the Polish FA explained why they declined his offer.

The 54-year-old, who has been out of work since resigning as England manager in July following their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, expressed his desire to take the Poland job following the departure of Michal Probierz.

Probierz left his post in the wake of a disagreement with the country's record goalscorer Robert Lewandowski, who stated he would not play for Poland again until the manager leaves, blaming a "loss of trust".

The decision came after Probierz named Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski as the new captain.

Southgate showed interest in taking the role, but after making enquiries through his representatives, it appears the Polish FA will look elsewhere after PZPN president Cezary Kulesza opened up on Southgate's offer.

"We received an offer of his employment but we must remember the basic issue – no foreign coach will give us a guarantee that we will advance to the world championship," he said, as per Przeglad Sportowy.

"If he gave us such a guarantee, I would hire him right away."

Kulesza would namedrop Fernando Santos as he outlined why they decided against hiring Southgate.

Santos, who memorably led Portugal to the European Championship title in 2016, was named Poland manager in January 2023, but after six games and less than a year in charge, he was sacked following a poor run.

"Fernando Santos is a perfect example," said Kulesza. "Coach with success, big name, everyone applauded, and the verification was surprising and painful for all of us."

Southgate was seemingly keen on taking the Poland job. Image credit: Getty

What has Gareth Southgate said about his future?

Southgate has previously claimed he was in no rush to find a coaching role.

"After eight years serving in one of the highest-profile roles in world football, I'm consciously taking time to reflect on what I lived through and thinking deeply about what comes next," he wrote on LinkedIn in November.

"I'm comfortable with this period of 'exploration' and not having all the answers. I'm following the advice I would give to any young person, without a clear career vision.

"Keep learning, build or explore your network, seek different life experiences and when you decide what's next, there will be no right or wrong, just one path or another."

He added: "This higher purpose kept me on track, gave me structure, made my life more fulfilling and is going to be extremely difficult to replicate. "It's why I'm not limiting my future options to remaining as a football coach."

Southgate has been linked with numerous positions, including the Manchester United job after Erik ten Hag was sacked in October.