Gareth Southgate 'offers to become new boss' of England rivals for 2026 World Cup

 Gareth Southgate has offered become the next boss of Poland, almost a year on from his England exit, it's been claimed. Southgate left his job with the Three Lions following their Euro 2024 final loss to Spain last summer.

Now he's reportedly thrown his hat into the ring to remain in international football with the Poles, who have just seen their head coach resign. Michael Probierz has stepped away from his role after a public fallout with Robert Lewandowski.

The Barcelona striker, arguably the greatest player in his country's history, had stated he would never play for Poland whilst Probierz remained as their manager. The two clashed over a saga that saw Lewandowski stripped of the captaincy.

As Poland eye their next boss new outlet Przeglad Sportowy Onet claims that Southgate has opened the door to an international return by submitting an application. It is understood he would have to significantly lower his financial demands if he did want to take the job. His England salary was double the record amount paid to a Poland boss.

Southgate was an unknown quantity at international level before taking charge of England, but quickly thrived. He led the Three Lions to a World Cup semi-final and successive finals at the Euros.

If he was hired the immediate remit for a Poland boss would be to ensure World Cup qualification. The European nations currently sit third in a group of five with only the winner qualifying and the second place going into a play-off. Poland sit below Finland and the Netherlands as things stand. The Poles have been present at the last two World Cups and will hope to continue that trend next summer in North America.

Southgate, since leaving his England job, has been a technical observer at UEFA over the past season, which saw him working closely with UEFA performance analysis in order to provide reports on every national team and club competition in Europe.

The 54-year-old has been linked with club jobs in the past, the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham. He's confessed that he would like to re-write the narrative around his club career, where he got Middlesbrough relegated before going into the international scene.

Southgate previously said on his next opportunity: "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."