Exclusive: Crystal Palace Set Sights on Former England Boss Gareth Southgate

Crystal Palace have lined up a sensational swoop for former England boss Sir Gareth Southgate as their next manager, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Eagles are already planning for life after Oliver Glasner, who has confirmed he intends to leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season, and the club’s hierarchy are determined to pull off a major coup by landing Southgate.

Southgate, 55, has been out of the game since stepping down as England manager, but Palace believe now is the perfect time to tempt him back into football with a high-profile Premier League return.

And sources say Palace’s powerbrokers are “pushing hard” behind the scenes, convinced Southgate’s pedigree and calm authority are exactly what the club need to take the next step.

Southgate boasts one of the most impressive CVs in English football. As a player, the former defender won 57 caps for England, captaining his country and featuring at three major tournaments. 

At club level, he lifted the League Cup with Aston Villa in 1996, played over 400 career games and became a fans’ favourite at both Villa Park and Middlesbrough.

CUT TEETH

It was at Boro where he cut his teeth as a manager too, steering them to the 2006 UEFA Cup final and keeping them in the Premier League for three seasons on a modest budget before moving into the England set-up.

As England boss, Southgate led the Three Lions to a World Cup semi-final in 2018, a Euro 2020 final and a World Cup quarter-final in 2022, restoring pride and belief in the national team during an eight-year reign.

Now Palace want him to bring that same leadership and tactical nous to south London.

The Eagles are bracing themselves for Glasner’s exit after the Austrian admitted he plans to move on in the summer following an impressive spell in charge.

Glasner has won admirers for his front-foot football and sharp tactical approach, guiding Palace away from relegation danger and into the top-half conversation while also masterminding several eye-catching wins over the league’s big boys.

Despite Glasner’s bombshell departure, Palace remain active in the January window, aiming to replace Marc Guehi, who moved to Manchester City, with either John Stones or Nathan Ake—though City have made it clear only one will be allowed to leave if Ruben Dias proves his fitness before month’s end.

DEPARTURE

But with his departure looming, Palace chiefs are refusing to stand still and Southgate has emerged as their dream target.

Palace believe Southgate’s ability to develop young talent, organise solid defensive units and handle pressure makes him an ideal fit for a club looking to break into the Premier League’s top bracket.

Sources say talks are expected to accelerate in the coming weeks, with Palace ready to sell Southgate a long-term project built around their exciting core of young stars and a growing ambition to challenge for Europe.

If the Eagles pull this off, it would rank as one of the shock managerial moves of the summer, and a statement that Crystal Palace mean business.