Southgate ended his eight-year stint as England boss following their Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain in Berlin in what was a crushing blow for the Three Lions.
The former Middlesbrough and Aston Villa star led the team to two European championship finals and the semi-final of the World Cup in 2018, but never helped the side lift silverware despite the world-class squad on paper.
Now, speaking to the BBC he has revealed he will not rush back into a job, despite being linked to several positions since leaving international management.
“I had an amazing time (as England manager). Obviously the great thing with England was there is the high purpose that you are … you know, I joined the FA to try to help English football to become better, to help youth development, in particular.
“I somehow stumbled and ended up in the first-team manager’s job, and we had a pretty good period.
“But I am not desperate to stay in football. I have had 37 years in football.
“You can never say never, because I have just seen Martin O’Neill at his age go to Celtic, but it is not something that is high on my agenda at the moment.
“And so, I am very relaxed about not being in football at the moment.”
Southgate’s only job in club management saw him take charge of Middlesbrough between mid-2006 to October 2009 - but the squad were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2008/09 season. He has little experience outside of international management which may hinder any future job opportunities.