Gareth Southgate does not miss managing England and is relieved to be free of the "weight" of the job.

Southgate called time on his eight-year spell in charge of the Three Lions last year, after they were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

While Southgate is the only England boss other than World Cup winner Alf Ramsey to lead the men's team to a major final, his side became the first in European Championship history to lose in two successive showpieces, also falling short against Italy at the delayed 2020 tournament.

Southgate was succeeded by former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel, who oversaw three wins from three World Cup qualifiers before England lost 3-1 to Senegal in a friendly earlier this month. 

Speaking to BBC Sport after receiving a knighthood for his services to English football, Southgate was asked how it felt to watch the team from afar.

"It is a little bit strange, but also I'm not missing it," Southgate said. "I think it's important that I am on that sofa and out of their way. 

"It's theirs to take on now and I think it's important that I give the team as much space as possible.

"I think it's hard to describe, because until that weight's gone you don't necessarily realise that on a day-to-day basis, every hour of my day was thinking, 'how do I make England better, what's happening with the players, how do we do things differently?'

"I think any leader of a big organisation, you're constantly thinking about how to do your job as well as you can."

2 - England have become the first nation in UEFA European Championship history to lose consecutive finals. Bridesmaids. pic.twitter.com/VkYq0Gj7CZ

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 14, 2024

Upon taking charge, Tuchel was critical of England's performances at last year's Euros, saying they lacked a consistent style and played with fear.

Asked what he made of those comments, Southgate said: "I don't think it's important how I took it or what I think.

"I think what's really important is for me to give the team, the manager, the space to operate. I think that's the right thing to do.

"I've had an amazing experience leading my country, but it's time for them to take it forward now and I'll be a fan at home supporting it."

England are next in action in September, when they face Andorra and Serbia in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers. 

They are currently four points clear of Albania at the top of Group K, with Serbia one point further back in third.