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Ten Hag could still fail to deliver Champions League qualification or a trophy this season. Wide-ranging reports suggest that scenario is likely to see the Dutchman sacked by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Southgate has been suggested as a potential successor to Ten Hag. The 52-year-old could go deep into Euro 2024 with England this summer, which Neville believes could make the timing of a move to United tricky.
However, the former United captain believes the situation could work if done 'maturely', with England naming a replacement ahead of the tournament. The new Three Lions boss would subsequently begin work later in the year.
Neville told the Stick To Football Podcast: “I never saw Gareth Southgate as a Manchester United manager, psychologically, I never saw that. I can see it now, now Dan Ashworth has come in. I just think, what does Erik ten Hag need to do to stay as Manchester United manager? So, for instance, is the FA Cup enough? Or does he need to get top four, or top five, Champions League?
“I think if Gareth is leaving, I think to be honest with you, you’ll have seen this in tournaments, but it’s never been easy. England will have qualifiers starting up again a couple of months after the tournament, so they’ll have to have a new manager in.
“And Gareth will need to sort his future out, to get a club for potentially the start of next season. So, I think if it’s done maturely, I can see how it would be brought forward in terms of Gareth. Forget Manchester United, England would need to appoint a new manager.
“So, they are going to have to appoint a new manager pre-tournament, probably. And say Gareth is going to be leaving after the tournament, unless he’s just going to leave on the last day and do it quietly, I don’t know.”
Neville’s former United team-mate Roy Keane agreed, believing that the existing relationship with the former Football Association technical director Ashworth could be key.
Keane said: “I could see that (Southgate to United) happening. Well, obviously everyone’s thinking he’s probably going to be with England this summer if he has a good Championship, thinking if they could win it.
“And if they don’t, then maybe they’re thinking maybe you’ve run your race with him. His connection with Dan Ashworth, who he has worked with previously. Yeah, I’m not that surprised with it.”
