Gareth Southgate took on the England job amid a period of distinct bleakness in 2016. He departs just shy of eight years on having allowed a disillusioned nation to believe again.
England’s defeat in the Euro 2024 final was Southgate’s 102nd in charge of the Three Lions. It will prove to be his last.
The former defender is the most successful England manager of modern times by a considerable distance. He galvanised a mightily gifted generation in a way that grander names from yesteryear couldn’t, with the Three Lions reaching back-to-back European Championship finals under his watch.
Southgate couldn’t quite oversee the leap over the final hurdle, but his legacy in English sporting folklore has been cemented. His reign will be remembered with the utmost fondness. The summers of 2018, 2021, and 2024 will long be cherished by the nation, but this felt like the right time to move on.
So, for the first time in eight years, the FA are on the hunt for a new manager. Here are the candidates to take over…
The FA could down the Spanish route and offer current Under-21s incumbent Carsley the senior role.
Spain’s winning Euro 2024 coach, Luis de la Fuente, had previously led La Roja’s Under-19s and Under-21s to European glory before succeeding Luis Enrique in 2023.
Carsley’s sole experiences in senior management have come in caretaker positions, but his work with England’s Under-21s suggests a step-up to the seniors wouldn’t be the worst idea. He guided a talented crop of English youngsters to European Championship success in 2023, all while overseeing a style that the vast majority of supporters are desperate to enjoy.
It’s an appointment that would come across as uninspiring, but there’s no denying it’s astute potential.
Potter’s reputation has taken quite the hit following a pretty disastrous spell at Chelsea. The former Brighton boss hasn’t taken a job on since his exit from Stamford Bridge in April 2023 despite receiving several offers from overseas.
The 49-year-old is objectively not a bad manager having earned the Chelsea job off the back of an impressive stint at Brighton. The Englishman was able to enhance the collective potential of his squad through sound, progressive coaching, but he struggled to deal with the bigger names of west London.
Potter would likely install a far more watchable brand…
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