Gareth Southgate has hinted he could walk away from the England job after crashing out of the World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to France on Saturday night.
Sportsmail’s experts have discussed those who could replace Southgate as the England manager if he decides to walk away following the 2022 World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Brendan Rodgers, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter have been linked with the role.
Gareth Southgate has hinted he could walk away from the England job after crashing out of the World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to France on Saturday night
Mauricio Pochettino: 4-1
Pros: He is available having left Paris Saint-Germain in July. Although the debate about a foreign manager will resurface if Gareth Southgate leaves, the Argentine has a strong affinity with English football having managed at Southampton and Tottenham.
His style should translate well to international management. Has helped develop a number of players into internationals, including Harry Kane. Pochettino also worked with FA technical director John McDermott at Spurs.
Cons: England seem ready to take that final step and win something major. His trophies at PSG are not enough to silence his doubters as one of the biggest accusations levelled at Pochettino was his inability to get Tottenham over the line in the Premier League and in cup finals. Could that be a concern for the FA? The nationality issue could also be an obstacle.
Pochettino has helped develop a number of players into internationals, including Harry Kane
Thomas Tuchel: 5-1
Pros: Also available having been out of work since leaving Chelsea in September and said to be interested. Knows what it takes in cup competitions, winning three trophies and reaching three other finals with Chelsea. Also familiar with a number of England’s players from his time at Stamford Bridge.
How he handles himself, especially after being forced out of Chelsea, suggests he will cope with the statesman element that comes with being England manager. His preference for doing his work on the training pitch, rather than dealing with transfers, means he is suited to international management.
Cons: Nationality could again be an issue. And the relatively short-term nature of his jobs at Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea – along with how they came to an end with fractured relations – may be a concern, especially as Southgate has brought stability to the role.
Those doubts could be countered on Tuchel’s behalf by the fact transfers were contributing factors to those differences of opinion at his previous clubs, something that is not a factor at international level.
Thomas Tuchel is available having been out of work since leaving Chelsea in September
Brendan Rodgers: 8-1
Pros: Experienced boss who has proved at Liverpool and Celtic that he can handle the scrutiny of top-level management. Rodgers’ work at Leicester also shows he can improve young English players, with James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and James Justin among those to have thrived under his guidance.
Despite the difficulties in the early part of this season, Rodgers’ record at Leicester stands up to scrutiny: two fifth-place finishes, an FA Cup, a Community Shield and a European semi-final. After 14 years in the club game, may want to test himself on the international scene.
Cons: Rodgers is one of the best-paid managers in the Premier League and his contract, signed in 2019, runs until summer 2025 and contains a sizeable release clause. Apart from the run to the Europa Conference League last four last season, the 49-year-old also has a modest record in European competition.
Even though he is no longer on the training pitch every day, Rodgers is a coach at heart who loves nothing better than working with players on a regular basis. That means he might struggle to adapt to international football.
Brendan Rodgers is an experienced boss who has proved at Liverpool and Celtic that he can handle the scrutiny of top-level management
Eddie Howe: 10-1
Pros: Jamie Carragher says he is the best coach in the country right now and, on the evidence of the improvement at Newcastle, the former England defender is right. Howe is also, like Southgate, an intelligent and articulate communicator who could navigate the trickier issues that come with the England job.
Players love his professional and methodical approach, and, at Newcastle, even those who are not in the team are singing their manager’s praises. He has proven to have the tactical acumen for the big games. Howe, you feel, is the outstanding candidate.
Cons: The biggest is that he does not want the job. Not yet. He is at the start of his Newcastle project and will not leave for England. One other concern is that Howe is a day-to-day manager. He gets the most from his players by spending as many as hours as possible working with them.
With England, he would not have that luxury of time. He also needs more big-game experience in Europe, where he has never managed, before taking on major tournaments. One day, it looks likely Howe will be England boss. Just not now.
Jamie Carragher says Eddie Howe (above) is the best coach in the country right now
Graham Potter: 12-1
Pros: Has seemed destined to become England manager one day, having long had that sense about him. Excels on the coaching field and is tactically impressive, flexible and proactive, all qualities required by an international manager.
Like Southgate, Potter is a realist with a calm personality and a sense of perspective which ensures he does not get too high or low. Also a good manager of people, something that helped him appeal to Chelsea’s new owners. His career – particularly at Ostersunds and Brighton – has shown that give him time and he will deliver results.
Cons: Two big issues would be in the way of the FA appointing Potter. He is only just getting his feet under the table at Chelsea following his appointment in September. It is the biggest job of his career, one he has worked hard to earn, so tempting him away from it looks a tall order. It would also be costly to do so too with Potter having signed a lucrative five-year deal when lured away from Brighton by Chelsea.
Some believe that Graham Potter seems destined to become England manager one day