Successful Southgate
Despite his critics, he is the second-best manager in English football history behind Sir Alf Ramsey. Though he might not be the best tactically, he certainly is an outstanding man manager and was able to succeed where many other England managers had failed.
The FA now has the job of finding his replacement, and the pressure is certainly going to be on to find the right candidate who can get England over the line at a major tournament.
Potter Has A Point To Prove
At the time of writing, Graham Potter is the favourite at 9/4 to be Southgate’s successor. He personally doesn’t excite me. He did a good job at Brighton and even before that with Swedish side Ostersund, who made the group stage of the Europa League. However, his time at Chelsea will be questioned as he failed to deliver after they made some huge money signings, and I am not sure of his ability to handle big-name players.
Not The Right Time For Howe
Eddie Howe is next in the betting at 3/1. He did an excellent job at Bournemouth, and he is currently doing quite well at Newcastle. Despite this, I don’t think he would be tempted to leave his role at the Magpies, as they have a long-term vision to win the league after making huge investments at the club. I think Howe still thinks he has a long way to go in that job, and now wouldn’t be the right time for him to leave.
Klopp Cuckoo Land
I think people are in cuckoo land if they think the FA will appoint Jurgen Klopp at 9/1. and I don’t think he’s looking to be an international manager unless he is offered the Germany job. I can see him ending up at Real Madrid or Barcelona in the next couple of years.
FA Will Want An English Manager
Mauricio Pochettino has been muted by some. He’s well known for bringing through young English players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Eric Dier during his time with Spurs. Though he was harshly treated at Chelsea, I think he wants another job in club management, as he’s got a point to prove. I also think the FA will want an English manager, so I don’t see him getting the job.
Carry On Carsley
The one I can see getting the job is Lee Carsley. If the FA did decide to appoint him, they would be following the same route they did with Southgate. However, unlike Southgate, he would come into the job with some international managerial success, as in his tenure they won the Euro U21 championship last year.
Furthermore, the appointment would make sense as he worked with players like Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, and Jarred Branthwaite, who could all feature in England’s next World Cup squad, so some of the players would already know him and how he operates.
In their statement on Tuesday, the FA did say they had plans for an interim manager, who could be Carsley. If that is the case, they would be following the same route they did with Southgate. I just think he is the most obvious choice on paper.
Some people think you need a standout name or elite manager, but that doesn’t necessarily work in international football. It requires a different set of skills for international management, and that’s why the FA should consider someone who has that experience.
Next England Manager Selection
Lee Carsley (10/3)