New Delhi: On the heels of Gareth Southgate’s exit from the England National Team, the speculation is rife over who will replace the England boss after nearly eight years in the dugout. Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England manager has been marked by notable successes in major tournaments and a cultural shift within the squad.
His tenure with the Three Lions saw him lead the squad to the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the finals of both, the UEFA Euro 2020 and the UEFA Euro 2024, while constantly promoting young talent. The FA’s search for England’s next manager begins now and the focus should be on finding someone who can build on the platform that Southgate has created and can deliver trophies, something that was missing Southgate’s stint.
There are a lot of available candidates for the FA to choose from and they should be looking at somoeone who fits well with the current crop on English players. One of Southgate’s key characteristics was his bonding with the squad and his brilliant man-management skills and that is something that should be kept in mind while making the next appointment. The current squad only had praises to sing about Southgate and getting in a manager who’s great at man-management will make this transition easier for everyone involved.
In order to get the best out of this second ‘golden generation’ of England, the FA should drop it’s filter of only going for English managers and also consider some quality foregin options.
1) Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, gestures during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United at Brentford Community Stadium on May 19, 2024, in Brentford, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Starting this list with the man whose name always comes up whenever the discussion for Gareth Southgate’s successor arises. Eddie Howe has been linked with the England job ever since his Bournemouth days and the links continue well into his Newcastle career. Being the only person on this list who is currently managing a club, that makes this move a little more tricky but we’ve seen stranger things happen.
He fits into the FA’s criteria of looking at only English managers and he’s currently the best English manager. Tactically adept and great at developing young players, Howe fits well into England’s search for a manager. He’s shown his quality as a manager by managing to lead Newcastle into the UEFA Champions League in his first full season in charge. With the Englishman not being Newcastle’s preferred option when the takeover took place, it doesn’t seem completely out of the realm of possibility that Howe becomes the next England boss.
Likeliness rating: 5/10
2) Graham Potter
Graham Potter the manager/head coach of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on April 1, 2023, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
The ex-Chelsea and Brighton manager has been without a club ever since he was sacked as Chelsea manager back in April of 2023. Apart from Howe, Potter is another name that has been long linked with the England job. His style of play is more expansive than that provided by Southgate and he is also known for building good personal relationships with his players, something that bodes well with the current squad.
He’s already managed a few of the current English team players while managing various clubs throughout England which makes him familiar with some of the players of the current set-up. Potter has already rejected approaches from Ajax, Lyon, and Leicester City recently, indicating that the former Swansea boss is waiting for a call from the FA in the coming days.
Likeliness rating: 7/10
3) Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard, Manager of England poses for a photo with the trophy following victory in Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2024 at Stamford Bridge on June 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Former Chelsea and Everton boss Frank Lampard has had a roller-coaster managerial career. His first job as Derby County manager showed an exciting, budding manager who had a lot of potential when he took them to the Championship playoffs. That was deemed enough to hand him the reins at Chelsea where he performed admirably in the first season but fell off a bit in the second leading him to be sacked.
While his second spell at Chelsea as caretaker manager was disastrous, it was also more down to off-the-field chaos. He has showcased his managerial talent in flashes and has been a legend for England throughout his playing career. His status as an England player is unparalleled and he would command a lot of respect in the dressing room. Lampard has also been good at developing young players that would suit the current setup.
Likeliness rating: 4/10
4) Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of World XI acknowledges the fans prior to Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2024 at Stamford Bridge on June 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Coming to the only non-English option, the recently free Mauricio Pochettino would be a great fit with the current England squad in mind. Having just left Chelsea after guiding the Blues to a sixth-placed finish last season, the Argentine manager’s stock is on the high in English football with many feeling shocked after his falling out with the Chelsea hierarchy. His record with Southampton, Spurs and Chelsea indicates his excellent record at developing young players which bodes well for the English side as well.
Pochettino has a great relationship with players like Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Cole Palmer, and Conor Gallagher after his spells with Spurs and Chelsea and would be best suited to manage the team out of all the options. He is an excellent man manager with players from both Chelsea and Spurs feeling disappointed after his exit from either club.
Likeliness rating: 8/10
5) Lee Carlsley
Ashley Cole, Assistant Coach of England and Lee Carsley, Manager of England watch the warm ups prior to the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 Qualifier against Luxembourg on March 26, 2024 in Bolton. (Photo by Matt McNulty – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
The most left-field choice on this list, the current U-21 manager could follow in the footsteps of the person who he’d be replacing, as Southgate himself was promoted from the U-21 side. Even Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, the man partly responsible for Southgate’s resignation was also promoted from Spain’s U-21 side, so there is precedent there for Carlsley to be given this role.
And credit where credit’s due, Carlsley has a proven record with his side as he guided them to the U-21 European Championships last summer, managing a squad containing the likes of Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, and Levi Colwill, all of whom are either a part of the current first-team squad or are knocking at the door to become one in the near future. Carlsley even recently turned down the chance to become Ireland manager, indicating he’s expecting to be in the running for the position.
Likeliness rating: 4/10
On the heels of Gareth Southgate’s exit from the England National Team, the speculation is rife over who will replace the England boss after nearly eight years in the dugout. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
