Gareth Southgate ‘offers himself to POLAND as ex-England manager targets shock new job in dugout’

GARETH SOUTHGATE has his eyes set on becoming POLAND’S new manager, according to sensational reports.

It comes days after Michal Probierz resigned from his post following a public spat with national hero Robert Lewandowski.

GettyGareth Southgate has reportedly ‘offered himself to Poland’[/caption]

ReutersIt comes days after Michal Probierz resigned from his post in the wake of his row with Robert Lewandowski[/caption]

Lewandowski, who is Poland‘s record goalscorer with 85 goals in 158 appearances, said he would not play for his country again under Probierz, after being stripped of the captaincy.

Probierz resigned a few days later after Poland suffered a 2-1 loss in Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Now, according to Polish daily newspaper Przeglad Sportowy, Southgate has submitted an application to replace Probierz.

The unbelievable report adds that Southgate has also “personally expressed his desire to take over”.

The 54-year-old stepped down as England manager last July following his side’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Southgate was linked with replacing Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager in October.

But, he quickly ruled out the prospect of making a quick return to management and made it clear he is in “no rush” to find his next role.

The report was largely positive about Southgate, citing his successive Euros finals – which both ended in defeat after Italy’s penalty shootout win at Wembley in 2021.

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Southgate’s first tournament was the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He led the team to the semi-final before losing to eventual runners-up Croatia.

During the run to the final four, the team were able to overcome their penalty hoodoo as they knocked out Columbia on spot kicks in the round of 16.

England again suffered semi-final heart ache in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, when they lost 2-1 to France under his guidance.

Southgate’s highs and lows as England boss

GARETH Southgate took charge of 102 games for England before quitting in the aftermath of the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

But what were the best – and worst matches – from the popular gaffer’s eight-year reign before that devastating Sunday night in Berlin? Here we take a look.

THE HIGHS:

Colombia 1-1 England (3-4 on pens,) 2018 World Cup

This was the night that long-suffering supporters finally started to believe that it was coming home.

Despite conceding a late equaliser, England held their nerve to advance to the quarter final of the World Cup 2018 on penalties.

It was our first shootout victory for 22 years.

Spain 2-3 England, 2018 Nations League

Following on from the World Cup, England won in Spain for the first time in 31 years with a brilliant Uefa Nations League victory.

Southgate’s boys stunned the Seville crowd into silence with a thrilling performance that saw them lead 3-0 at the break thanks to a Raheem Sterling brace and Marcus Rashford.

Although the hosts scored two after the break, the way the Three Lions tore La Roja apart excited every fan.

England 2-1 Denmark, Euro 2020 semi-final

Southgate led England to their first major final in 55 years as they beat Denmark after extra-time in the Euro 2020 semi-final.

Having fallen behind after half an hour, the Three Lions battled back to send it to extra-time courtesy of an own goal.

Then it was captain Kane who converted a rebound after Kasper Schmeichel originally saved his penalty in extra-time to win it.

England 3-0 Sengal, 2022 World Cup last 16

England had already blown Iran and Wales, 6-2 and 3-0 respectively, away in the World Cup 2022 group stages before they breezed past Senegal.

The free-scoring Three Lions recorded another big win to set-up a mouthwatering quarter-final against France – what could go wrong?

Italy 1-2 England, Euro qualifiers, 2023

On a night when Harry Kane became England’s all-time top scorer, the Three Lions recorded a first away win over Italy since 1961.

It was the first game since their 2022 World Cup exit, and it ensured a perfect start to their Euro 2022 qualifying campaign.

England 2-1 Holland, Euro 2024 sem-final

The nation doubted Southgate’s men in the semis of Euro 2024, but they responded with a barnstorming display.

Xavi Simons opened the scoring for the Dutch but Harry Kane’s penalty drew us level.

And Ollie Watkins slotted in a brilliant winner in injury time to see the Three Lions into their second successive Euros final.

AND THE LOWS….

Croatia 2-1 England, World Cup semi-final, 2018

Having led England to a first World Cup semi-final since 1990, Southgate men made a dream start as Kieran Trippier put them ahead in the early exchanges.

But Ivan Perisic equalised as the Croats began to take control.

Some of Southgate’s substitutions were then questioned after his team were beaten in extra-time, although many gave him the benefit of the doubt as he returned a hero.

Italy 1-1 England (3-2 pens) Euro 2020 final

Will probably never get a better chance to have secured a trophy for the Three Lions than this final of the last European Championship.

Luke Shaw gave us the lead after just seconds, but just like against Croatia three years earlier, we sat back and let our rivals back into it.

Leonardo Bonucci duly equalised in the second half and the game eventually went to penalties.

The unfortunate Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were all brought on to take a spot-kick, but the brave trio all missed as the Azzurri broke our hearts to take the prize.

England 0-4 Hungary, Nations League 2023

A year on from the Euros and it was utter embarrassment for Southgate in this Nations League game at Molineux.

It was our biggest home defeat since 1928 and the result led to England being relegated from the top group of the Nations League and back to one that contained the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece.

England 1-2 France, World Cup 2022 quarter-finals

Another case of what could have been.

Having been free-scoring throughout Qatar 2022, many fancied us to go all the way at the World Cup despite taking on the holders in the quarters.

We fought back from going behind to level through Kane and many believe that France were then there for the taking had Southgate deployed a more attacking approach.

Instead, they seemed content with what they had until Olivier Giroud pounced 12 minutes from time to win it.

But there was still one more twist of the knife for England as the usually-reliable Kane skied a late penalty over the bar uncharacteristically as we crashed out.

Since quitting England, Southgate has been taking on temporary roles.

He is a technical observer for European football’s ruling body Uefa and a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School in the US.

The former midfielder is also writing a self-help book, which is to focus on leadership.

It is expected to feature some of the lessons he learned while guiding the Three Lions to two successive Euro finals.

Meanwhile, Poland are looking for a rebirth after a disappointing few years.

Probierz, 52, took over as coach in September 2023 but his side finished bottom of their group at Euro 2024 and were the first country to be knocked out of the tournament.

In his 21 matches in charge he won nine, drew five and lost seven.

Probierz said after his exit: “Thank you, of course, to all the footballers I have had the pleasure of meeting along the way.

“I will keep my fingers crossed for all of you, because the national team is our common national asset.”