MY ACCOUNT
As ever when a team exits a major tournament, questions are asked as to whether the coach will stay on and it has been no exception with Gareth Southgate following England’s 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.
The Three Lions boss has been at the helm of the national team since September 2016 and has led England to a World Cup semi-final, European Championship final and now the last eight in Qatar.
Southgate himself has admitted he is ‘conflicted’ over whether he now stays on in the role, with his current contract due to take him through to December 2024.
If the former Middlesbrough man decides now is the right time to step down, which managers will be in contention to fill the international vacancy?
Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino has been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in July of this year and is waiting for the right offer before taking his next role.
Pochettino, who has been part of the BBC’s punditry team in Qatar, did an outstanding job during his tenure at Spurs – taking them to the Champions League final in 2019.
As a former Tottenham manager, his close relationship with England captain Harry Kane might also work in his favour if he is keen to replace Southgate.
Thomas Tuchel
A fellow former Premier League manager, Thomas Tuchel is another high-profile name currently out of work, having left Chelsea earlier this season.
The 49-year-old won the Champions League with the Blues during his 18-month stint at Stamford Bridge and has also had experience at the top level with Borussia Dortmund and PSG.
Tuchel is seen as a master tactician, especially in tournament football, but how would England fans take to a German coach of the national team?
Brendan Rodgers
There has been plenty of talk this season that Brendan Rodgers’ time at Leicester could be coming to an end, with the Foxes currently in the bottom half of the table.
He seems to have come through a tricky patch, though, and Leicester head into the Christmas period having won four of their last five Premier League matches.
Rodgers is known for his attacking style of football, but Leicester’s defensive issues and set-piece record will be a concern to England supporters.
Eddie Howe
With Newcastle currently sat third in the Premier League and fighting for a place in Europe, Eddie Howe’s stock has never been so high.
He has overseen something of a revolution on Tyneside since taking over in late 2021. The way he has gone about it has impressed onlookers and it is almost certain that the Football Association will have liked what they have seen.
However, whether Howe would leave Newcastle now remains to be seen, with the new owners prepared to back him and the strong possibility of coaching in the Champions League next season.
Graham Potter
The second Englishman on the list would be Graham Potter, whose impressive work at Brighton gave him the chance to move to one of the big six clubs in the Premier League.
Potter got the very best out of his players at the Amex Stadium, with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella impressing at the highest level.
Even though things have not exactly gone according to plan so far at Chelsea, it seems unlikely that he would feel now is the time to move on to another job.
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