Redknapp? Rodgers? What England need is another Gareth Southgate

England have the perfect coach in Gareth Southgate, according to some, but others dream of a Harry XI.

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England need another Southgate
It’s laughable really that we’re even discussing replacing Southgate as England manager, his achievements in the role easily surpass anyone since Ramsey and with a World Cup only eight weeks away it would be a blatant act of self-harm to sack him now. Even more absurd however are the names touted as his replacement, Pochettino, Zidane, Redknapp! I even had a mate the other day suggest Brendan Rodgers as the best option. I despair.

It seems obvious to me that when looking for a new manager to replace Southgate (after the World Cup at the earliest) then we should probably analyse what might have made him the most successful England manager for 50 years and then seek those attributes in his successor.

• So firstly he should probably be English or at the very least have worked extensively in England and be fluent in English. This lesson should have been learnt with Capello but then some suggest Zidane.
• He should have a deep knowledge and understanding of the players available in the present and those who will be coming of age in the future. Southgate’s familiarity with England’s U-21’s was certainly beneficial and it would be senseless for the new guy to lack this to a similar degree.
• He should be tactically conservative. Like it or not history shows that defensive solidity and midfield control works best in international tournaments.
• He should be a progressive coach. Southgate has spoken extensively of squad unity and empowering the players to be confident. It would be a shame to replace him with a ‘just get stuck in’ kind of shouty dinosaur
• He should have an acute understanding of the pressures involved with playing for England, how this can damage mental health, and have methods for countering this. Southgate’s experience as an England player probably prepared him for this in a unique way but it’s a quality that cannot be ignored
• He should really want the job. Its sounds obvious but this shouldn’t be a stepping stone to another job or something to do while a better club opportunity comes along. The England manager should be committed to the role and have a plan for what he can do to be successful
• It matters little what his current club record is. The ‘he got Middlesbrough relegated’ trope has clearly been shown for what it is, meaningless.

I’m sure…