Southgate’s Exit Leaves England With Difficult Successor Search

Gareth Southgate’s departure as England manager following their devastating Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain has left the Football Association with a difficult challenge of finding a competent replacement.

Southgate quit on Tuesday after eight years in command, admitting that it was “time for change and a new chapter” for the national team.

The FA’s headhunters will face a difficult task in selecting the appropriate man to pen the next pages of England’s arduous quest to win a major trophy for the first time since the 1966 World Cup.

The governing body wanted Southgate to extend his contract, which was set to expire in December.

However, the 53-year-old’s decision to retire has triggered a difficult succession hunt, which will hopefully be completed by the time England travels to the Republic of Ireland for a Nations League match on September 7.

When FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and his advisors consider the probable possibilities, they will find a list full of questions about their capacity to handle the particular challenges of a role Graham Taylor once nicknamed “the impossible job” during his stint as England manager.

The primary possibilities are thought to be Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and three former Chelsea managers: Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, and Thomas Tuchel.

Potter was positioned as the early bookies’ favourite, but the 49-year-old’s image was tainted by a disastrous tenure in charge at Chelsea.

After gaining praise for his remarkable work with Brighton, Potter was fired by Chelsea after less than seven months because he struggled to manage the squad’s huge personalities.

Potter was brought in to succeed Tuchel, who was fired despite winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.

Although Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp are unlikely to be available, the FA is reported to be open to hiring a foreign coach.

Tuchel, meanwhile, may struggle to gain support from certain elements of England’s fan base because he is German.

Tuchel’s reputation took a hit after his tumultuous stint at Bayern Munich, which concluded last season with his team finishing 18 points behind Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Great Expectations

Pochettino survived only one difficult season at Chelsea before departing by mutual accord in May.

His impressive work at Tottenham remains an appealing possibility, as does his close relationship with England captain Harry Kane, who rose to prominence during their time together in north London.

But Pochettino is from Argentina, another of England’s long-standing adversaries, and his inability to lead Paris Saint-Germain to the Champions League title despite their riches of quality is a scar on his record.

Howe’s performance in bringing Newcastle from relegation to Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years prompted some to consider him a future England manager.

However, the 46-year-old performed poorly last season, when Newcastle ended eighth in the Premier League, and was also in charge when Bournemouth were relegated from the top flight in 2020.

Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales also stated on Tuesday that he would fight to maintain Howe if the FA expressed an interest in him.

The FA is under additional strain due of England’s possibly tough qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

England, having been relegated to Nations League B, will not be seeded first in the World Cup qualifying stage because that honor is reserved for the 12 highest performing League A teams.

Spain, Germany, France, and Portugal might all be waiting for England in groups where only the victor will advance to the World Cup.

Bullingham wants to schedule an appointment “as soon as possible,” but acknowledged on Tuesday that “an interim solution is in place if needed.”

Former Everton player Lee Carsley, England’s current under-21 coach, is thought to be the interim solution.

The 50-year-old has minimal managing experience, but he might be considered for a permanent position once Southgate successfully transitioned from the England Under-21 duty.

Southgate will be regarded as England’s nearly man because to the Three Lions’ poor results on their way to the Euro 2024 final and their cautious attitude in that game.

Despite having a great roster, he failed to break England’s 58-year wait for a major championship, losing two consecutive Euro finals and the 2018 World Cup semi-final.

Whoever is appointed to replace Southgate will be expected to deliver where he fell short.

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