Manchester United reportedly have three reasons for making Gareth Southgate their No 1 managerial target this summer.
The England boss is said to be the top candidate for Sir Jim Ratcliffe if he were to sack current Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag.
Southgate's contract with the FA expires at the end of 2024 and many feel this summer's Euros could be his last tournament in charge.
He has been England boss since replacing Sam Allardyce in 2016 and came agonisingly close to ending his country's wait for major silverware at Euro 2020.
Man Utd have three reasons for wanting to appoint Gareth Southgate
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Southgate has not managed at club level since a three-year spell in charge of Middlesbrough.
Boro were relegated from the Premier League in 2009 and Southgate has not taken the reigns on a domestic level since being sacked that year.
He has undoubtedly improved his reputation as a manager while in charge of England despite not yet getting over the line with a tournament win.
The Three Lions are many people's favourites to triumph in Germany and it could be the perfect way for him to bow out.
Reports from the Daily Star earlier this week claimed United have earmarked Southgate as Ten Hag's successor.
Ten Hag's future remains in doubt despite last Sunday's dramatic quarter-final win over arch-rivals Liverpool.
United are said to be confident of luring Southgate to the club if they do fire Ten Hag.
And now the Daily Mail has revealed the three reasons why Southgate is such a popular choice for new co-owner Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe is overhauling the entire football department at United following his purchase of 27.7 per cent of the shares.
He has already brought in Omar Berrada from Manchester City as his new chief executive, while Dan Ashworth is in line to become sporting director.
Ashworth is currently on gardening leave at Newcastle and talks continue over him moving to United.
Southgate has previously worked with Ashworth during his time as technical director at the FA.
Ashworth is a big fan of the 53-year-old after previously describing him as the 'outstanding candidate' for the national job and they could reunite at club level.
A second reason why United want Southgate is that he already knows senior figures in the dressing room.
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Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw have been three key players in England's success under Southgate.
The trio are influential members of the United squad and have previously spoken of their respect for the England manager.
United managers in recent years have had problems keeping their players on side but Southgate already has a good place to start from.
He could also give an international debut to Kobbie Mainoo this week after handing him a maiden senior call-up.
The Daily Mail says the third reason United are interested in Southgate is he already knows Sir Dave Brailsford.
Gareth Southgate already knows key figures in the Man Utd dressing room
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INEOS director of sport Brailsford will be a key part of Ratcliffe's setup at Old Trafford.
It is claimed that Southgate and Brailsford are part of a WhatsApp group called Leaders 8, where elite coaches share their ideas on success.
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and ex-England rugby coach Eddie Jones are also said to be in the group.
United's interest in Southgate may be a surprise to many but Ratcliffe has his reasons and will be sure to leave no stone unturned as he aims to bring success back to the club.
