The FA will double-down on their attempts to keep Gareth Southgate as England boss… with growing optimism that he will be ready to take the Three Lions into their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign
The Football Association will double-down on their efforts to keep Gareth Southgate amid reservations over homegrown alternatives, as optimism grows that the England boss will stay.
Southgate has admitted he is considering walking away following his side’s World Cup exit, with his future to be decided during talks with FA technical director John McDermott and chief executive Mark Bullingham at the start of 2023.
But according to well-placed sources, there is growing hope at the governing body that Southgate is ready to lead the team into their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign that begins with a trip to Italy in March.
There is growing optimism that Gareth Southgate will remain in charge as England manager
Prior to Qatar 2022, there was a strong feeling within the FA that Southgate would leave his role after the World Cup.
But it is understood there is no longer that sense of resignation about Southgate’s future, with most recent indications much more positive.
The FA are desperate for Southgate to remain as England manager, but his post-tournament comments in which he said he needed to time to consider his future triggered concerns that the 52-year-old was seriously contemplating leaving.
Well aware of the possibility of Southgate bowing out, the FA have already started the process of identifying potential replacements.
Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that the FA, who appointed Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman as head coach of the senior women’s team, would be open to appointing an overseas manager in the event of Southgate going.
Southgate insisted that he needs time to consider his future after England’s World Cup exit
Dutch coach Sarina Weigman is the current manager of the senior England women team
Ideally, of course, the organisation would prefer to name an Englishman to replace Southgate but there are fears over the viability of homegrown coaches they could realistically appoint.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe are viewed as the leading English coaches in the Premier League, but there is an understanding that both would be unlikely to leave their current positions.
Steven Gerrard is available – but he struggled to make an impact at Aston Villa before being sacked earlier this season. Frank Lampard could emerge as a contender but he only joined Everton in January.
The lack of viable English contenders is a scenario the FA’s decision makers are acutely aware of.
Steven Gerrard has emerged as an option for the FA, should Southgate decide to leave
Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers, Argentine Mauricio Pochettino and German Thomas Tuchel are among the overseas candidates likely to be considered if an Englishman is not appointed.
But there are internal concerns given the political history England has with Northern Ireland, Argentina and Germany, that the appointment of any of the aforementioned trio could unsettle the fanbase.
The FA, though, are growing increasingly hopeful that Southgate will stay until at least Euro 2024.
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