I dont miss managing England - Southgate

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Southgate on his knighthood and life after managing England

Former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate says he does not miss managing the Three Lions and carrying the "weight" of the job.

The 54-year-old stepped down from the England role last summer after his side were beaten in the Euro 2024 final by Spain.

Southgate guided England to two European Championship finals during his seven and a half years in charge, finishing runner-up on both occasions.

The fourth-placed finish England achieved at Russia 2018 was the sides best performance at a World Cup since 1990.

But the former Middlesbrough manager, who received his knighthood on Wednesday for services to English football, says he does not miss being in charge of the team.

"It is a little bit strange [watching the team] but also Im not missing it," Southgate told BBC Sport.

"I think its important that I am on that sofa and out of their way, you know. Its theirs to take on now and I think its important that I give the team as much space as possible."

Southgate became the fourth England manager in history to be knighted, after Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson.

Asked if he missed parts of the job, Southgate said it was a relief to no longer carry the expectations of a nation.

"I think its hard to describe because until that weights gone you dont necessarily realise just on a day-to-day basis, you know, every hour of my day was thinking about how do I make England better, whats happening with the players, how do we do things differently," he added.

"So I think [that like] any leader of big organisations, youre constantly thinking about how to do your job as well as you can."

Thomas Tuchel replaced Southgate as manager following Lee Carsleys interim spell in charge.

The German has won all three of his World Cup qualifiers at the helm, but England were booed off after losing a friendly against Senegal at the City Ground earlier this month.

After taking charge of the side, Tuchel said Southgates England did not have a clear identity and "were more afraid to drop out" of Euro 2024 "than having the excitement and hunger to win it".

"I dont think its important how I took it [Tuchels criticism] or what I think," Southgate said.

"I think whats really important is for me to give the team, the manager, the space to operate. I think thats the right thing to do.

"Ive had an amazing experience leading my country, but its time for them to take it forward now and Ill be a fan at home supporting it."