ENGLAND football manager Gareth Southgate has taken his 16th century mansion home off the market - days after being handed the top job.

The former Middlesbrough FC player and manager and his wife, Alison, had been trying to sell his property near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, for in excess of £3m since 2013, when he was appointed as boss of the national under-21s team.

It remains unclear what has brought about the decision not to sell Grade I listed Swinsty Hall, but there has been speculation it could centre around Southgate wanting to focus on his new job.

Others have claimed Southgate, who has been seen watching Harrogate Town, playing cricket for Pannal Ash in the Nidderdale League alongside his son and visiting Harrogate’s theatre, and his family have grown attached to the area.

When the house was first marketed, agents said the family intended to remain in the area, were looking to move closer to the children’s school.

Southgate, who played for the national team 57 times, has also developed a reputation for helping boost community initiatives in North Yorkshire, spending time opening ventures such as a village sports club in Reeth, near Richmond.

The 46-year-old has owned the Little Timble property for ten years and, together with his wife, has completed the transformation of the 8,000sq ft building.

North Yorkshire estate agency Hopkinsons, which had marketed the property, said it was set in about 4.5 acres of manicured formal grounds, a 77ft-long barn and also included a detached two bedroomed cottage “ideal for relatives or staff”.

One of few Grade I-listed houses in North Yorkshire that is still privately owned, the agents said it features a Grand Hall with baronial fireplace, which the agents said the Southgates used for guest and family occasions.

It also features a wood-panelled drawing room, a wine cellar, a laundry room, six bedrooms, six reception rooms and three bathrooms across four floors.

The agents stated: “The gem at the top of this amazing home is a cinema/leisure room that features electric reclining cinema seats and and a home cinema system for those cosy nights in.

“The grounds are approached by sweeping driveways and feature manicured lawns and well designed Elizabethan style gardens. There is a wooded copse and plenty of playing space for children on safe open lawns.”