Might be way off but my take on this is Parrish tapped up Southgate when Academy was opened Garath said he said he will quit after Euros eithe way and take over from Roy . .But Roy put us in relagation trouble and we had to get another manager in quickly.( Oliver) in sooner than anticipated. Hence we are where we are now .Could have been so different.

Just as well Southgate was unavailable at the time then - OG is miles better

Southgate must be very talented indeed - because to turn a squad of world class players - with a forward line that scored 140+ goals between them into that dross is some achievement..!!!

You’re absolutely right could have been so different - we could have had Roy mk2 - dodged one there..!!

COYP

The point is what might of happened ? We had a lucky escape .

Also. Glasner was being lined up well before we had a rocky spell under Hodgson. The OP's idea re Southgate has no foundation in fact IMO.

However - At the time that Roy stepped down there was no way of knowing with any degree of certainty that only 3 more points would be required, that only became clear as weeks passed / the end of the season loomed large.

Pretty much any club in the PL is in danger of being relegated every season, clearly the chances of being relegated are more remote if you are one of the traditional big 6, have backers with really deep pockets (Chelsea) or recently wealthy (Newcastle) but everyone else has to look over their shoulder in the race to acquire at least 36 points.