The Football Association has identified a “number of candidates” to succeed Gareth Southgate as they look for an England manager capable of “winning a major tournament”.
Southgate resigned on Tuesday following England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
The conclusion of Southgate’s eight-year rule prompted the FA to conduct a selection hunt, which saw them associated with a number of contenders.
Among the bookmakers’ favourites are Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, former Chelsea bosses Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel, and Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou.
However, the FA insists that the process is open to anyone who meets the criteria published on Friday in a job profile detailing the qualities required of the next England manager.
The text of the role profile stated: “Our succession planning process has already identified a number of candidates; in addition to this we are committed to open recruitment processes in the football industry.”
While Southgate received plaudits for repairing England’s tarnished reputation, he was unable to end the country’s wait for its first major prize since the 1966 World Cup.
Following consecutive European Championship final disappointments and a 2018 World Cup semi-final loss, Southgate’s successor’s primary aim is undoubtedly to win a major trophy with a group brimming with world-class quality.
The FA stated that they are searching for a manager who can “lead and develop the England senior men’s team to win a major tournament and be consistently ranked as one of the top teams in the world”.
The chosen person would also provide “inspiring leadership” to the FA’s technical team, as well as build and maintain solid ties with clubs that hire English-qualified players.
The winning applicant would need to have a UEFA Pro Licence, “significant experience” in English football, and “a strong track record delivering results in the Premier League and/or leading international competitions”.
The FA emphasized the need for a “exceptional leader,” “highly resilient,” and “comfortable in a very high-profile role with intense public scrutiny” in a direct reference to the criticism Southgate received during his tenure in a role once dubbed the “impossible job” by then-England manager Graham Taylor.
The FA, which promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion, welcomes applications from anybody who fits the criteria.
Sarina Wiegman, who guided England to victory at the Women’s European Championship in 2022, has been connected with the job of replacing Southgate.
The profile provides an email address for prospective applicants, which could lead to the FA receiving offers from fans rather than legitimate prospects.
The governing board has set August 2 as the deadline for applications.
England’s opening match of the season is a Nations League contest against the Republic of Ireland on September 7.