Gareth Southgate gave the resigning letter on Tuesday, after England’s loss in the Euro 2024 final. England has now officially started the search to find the next England manager.
The English Football Association (FA) had hoped Southgate, who is 53, would remain through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but after four tournaments, he felt that it was time for a new chapter and finally decided to leave the role he had held for eight years.
The English Options for the Next England Manager
The FA is thinking to start by considering the best English candidate for the role. Southgate himself followed this pathway, joining the FA in 2011 as head of elite development before becoming the under-21s manager and eventually the senior team manager in 2016.
This road suggests that the current U21s manager, Lee Carsley, might be considered, but his experience is mostly at the youth-team level, with only brief caretaker roles at Coventry City, Brentford, and Birmingham City.
Promoting him to the senior team would be a significant leap. But the FA will note that recent international successes have come from managers with little prior pedigree, like Spain’s Luis de la Fuente and Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni.
Among the more experienced candidates, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter stand out. Howe has led Newcastle United to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years and has an amazing record with AFC Bournemouth, guiding them from League One to the Premier League.
Potter, on the other side, is ready after his sacking by Chelsea in April 2023. Before joining Chelsea, Potter was the FA’s first choice in case Southgate left after the 2022 World Cup.
Although his time at Chelsea was difficult, his innovative work with Brighton & Hove Albion could still make him a strong candidate. Sources suggest he is interested in the role, but the FA will need to consider whether his Chelsea tenure has affected his reputation.
The Overseas Contenders
The FA has shown with the appointment of Sarina Wiegman to the England women’s team that they are ready to appoint foreign managers. In the past, Sven-Göran Eriksson of Sweden and Italy’s Fabio Capello have held the men’s role.
Mauricio Pochettino is a strong candidate with most experience managing in England, having spent time at Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. His close relationship with FA technical director John McDermott could work in his favor.
Pochettino is praised with giving a positive culture at Tottenham and achieving notable success, which aligns with Southgate’s legacy of making players proud to represent England.
Thomas Tuchel, another suitable foreign candidate, speaks excellent English and has an excellent track record, including winning the Champions League with Chelsea.
His managerial experience with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich further strengthens his candidacy. Both Pochettino and Tuchel are currently unattached, making them accessible options for the FA.
The Ex-Players
Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, part of England’s “Golden Generation,” are also in the race. Gerrard, who won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers, and Lampard, who had a promising start with Derby County and Chelsea, bring knowledgeable playing experience to the table.
But their managerial careers have been mixed, with Gerrard struggling at Aston Villa and Lampard facing challenges post-Chelsea.
The Long Shots
Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are the dream candidates for many fans. Klopp, who recently left Liverpool because a lack of energy, has not ruled out managing a national team.
The FA could consider a temporary manager to wait for the right person, given the time available before the World Cup qualifiers in 2025.
Guardiola, has contracted with Manchester City until 2025, has shown interest in managing at the international level. But persuading him would require a highly challenging and costly plan.
Conclusion
The FA’s decisions are based on various factors, including managerial expertise, cultural skills, and the ability to build on Southgate’s legacy. Whoever stands in all the aspects, Southgate will have one clear goal: winning the 2026 World Cup.
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