Sir Gareth Southgate breaks silence on 'strange' Poland job links as ex-England boss clarifies whether he is looking for route back into management

The former England manager was linked with the Poland job after Michal Probierz resigned following a bitter feud with captain Robert Lewandowski. Reports suggested the Polish Football Association eventually snubbed the ex-Middlesbrough player but now he has dismissed that speculation.

He told the PA News Agency: "I am kind of used to it [rumours]. I mean, I was linked with the Poland job, which I knew nothing about, so that was a strange one. Something gets written and then it's reported everywhere, but yeah, there's probably a lot of others, but I kind of accept it now for what it is."

Southgate, who this week was honoured at the PFA awards for his outstanding contribution to football, has been out of work since resigning from the England post last year. He brought the Three Lions within touching distance of a major international trophy and now many are wondering if he will go back into management again.

Southgate may continue to be linked with managerial jobs but for the time being, he is enjoying his time away from the dugout.

He added: "You can't say never to anything because 15 years ago I left Middlesbrough and I wasn't certain I would manage then. Then I ended up on a strange path into managing the national team. But it's not something I'm actively looking at at the moment."