England searching for a new manager after Southgate resigns

Gareth Southgate’s decision to step down as England manager following the defeat against Spain in the 2024 European Championship final will delight his army of critics.

While Southgate has done a reasonable job with the Three Lions, his inability to lead a talented group of players to silverware led to widespread calls for change.

However, a quick look at the odds on the the newly released CryptoGamble Betting Hub suggests that replacing Southgate will be easier said than done.

Read on as we look at the leading contenders, starting with an unemployed manager who falls into the same ‘uninspiring’ category as the outgoing boss.

Graham Potter

Given the Football Association (FA) is renowned for making ‘safe’ managerial appointments, it is no surprise that Graham Potter is the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Southgate.

Potter did well with Swansea City Brighton & Hove Albion after working in Sweden, but flopped badly when he lasted less than a season with Chelsea.

He recently rejected the chance to manage Ajax, sparking talk that he was biding his time in the hope the England job would become available.

Although the 49-year-old is a strong contender to replace Southgate, his appointment would not generate much excitement among England fans.

Lee Carsley

If the FA decides to trust their coaching pathway, current England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley would be in pole position to take the senior role.

Carsley guided the U21 to the 2023 European Championship and is familiar with several players who featured in the Euro 2024 squad.

His perceived lack of experience could count against him, but those familiar with Carsley’s work know he is a more progressive coach than Southgate.

The former Everton midfielder is unlikely to get the job, but his track record with the U21 squad should at least earn him an interview.

Eddie Howe

There will be plenty of fans willing to back Eddie Howe to be the next England manager, but he is another potential appointment who would be hugely underwhelming.

Despite building a decent reputation during spells in charge of Bournemouth and Newcastle United, his in-game management is often questionable.

Southgate was similarly flawed and replacing him with Howe has all the hallmarks of ‘jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire’.

Howe may also feel he has unfinished business at Newcastle and may be unwilling to switch club football for the international arena.

Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino would reportedly jump at the chance to manage England and would be a popular choice with some sections of the fanbase.

After leaving Tottenham Hotspur without winning silverware, Pochettino struggled to live up to expectations with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

However, his role in Cole Palmer’s development last season may make him an appealing option to guide England into a new era.

It is probably debatable whether the FA would turn to an Argentinian to manage England given the previous history between the two nations.

Jurgen Klopp

Plenty of people have pushed Jurgen Klopp’s claims to be the next England manager, but it would be a major surprise if this came to fruition.

Putting aside the ‘England won’t appoint a German’ debate for a moment, Klopp possesses in-depth knowledge about the players he would inherit.

Despite this, he is unlikely to be enamoured with the prospect of taking over a set-up where the demands can take a massive toll on someone’s personal life.

Klopp has made it clear he wants to take a break from professional football, and the FA will probably fail to get him to change his mind if they appoint him.

Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel is another foreign manager who boasts a strong track record but who is unlikely to be tasked with taking over the England squad.

Tuchel is a serial winner, but his prickly nature with his bosses and the media will likely be major red flags for the power-brokers at the FA.

Tuchel was reportedly open to taking the job after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but the FA ultimately extended Southgate’s contract.

While the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager is still keen to get the job, his salary demands could be another stumbling block.

Gary O’Neil

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil is going under the radar as a potential replacement for Southgate despite being an excellent option.

O’Neil honed his craft in Liverpool’s youth set-up before joining Bournemouth in 2021. He was appointed as their manager the following year and did an excellent job.

Bournemouth surprisingly sacked O’Neil at the end of the season, but he was soon back in work at Wolves. The 41-year-old has impressed with the Midlands club.

O’Neil is a progressive coach who knows how to beat the press and would get the best out of England’s talented squad. He is the ideal choice to replace Southgate.

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