England news: The main contenders to replace Gareth Southgate as manager

Graham Potter and Lee Carsley are in the running to replace Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down from the role as England manager, bringing an end to his eight-year tenure.

Southgate has decided to call it a day following the Three Lions’ defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

This was the second European Championship final that England had reached under Southgate’s management, but the previous one also ended in defeat against Italy at Euro 2020.

There is no doubt Southgate’s appointment has been a hugely successful time for the England national team.

He has restored pride and respect in the senior men’s team and repaired the disconnect between fans and the team.

But the time has now come for change and the FA must now decide his successor, a decision that must be right to carry on England’s upward trajectory with the aim to go one better than Southgate achieved and win a tournament.

The Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham said: “The process for appointing Gareth’s successor is now underway and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible.

“Our UEFA Nations League campaign starts in September, and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed.”

Many managers have been spoken about, with the dream ultimately being either Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp - even though both are unlikely.

The three candidates who have been reported as the frontrunners to be considered by the FA are Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, and Lee Carsley.

Here, Sports News Blitz’s Jon Shea looks through the main contenders and their credentials.

Eddie Howe – Newcastle United manager

Howe has been Newcastle's manager since 2021 and was previously the manager of Bournemouth for a prolonged period.

At Bournemouth, Howe pulled the club out of its doom days of strugglers at the bottom of League Two to the Premier League.

Howe steered the club to its first-ever top-half finish in the top flight, securing a ninth-place finish in 2016/17.

He was not able to replicate that top-half finish and secured the club’s status in the Premier League for four years until their relegation in 2020, which proved to be the end of his time at the Vitality Stadium.

Since 2021, he has achieved great heights at Newcastle, improbably saving the club from relegation in 2022 while the club was in a huge transitional period following a takeover.

The following season was very successful as they reached their first cup final since 1999, while also qualifying for the Champions League.

Last season, there was a slight drop-off from the previous season as they struggled to cope with the demands of European football.

The Magpies were unlucky to not qualify for the Europa Conference League as it was snatched away from them following Manchester United’s FA Cup success.

Howe’s football is a progressive and dynamic style, with pace and hard work at the forefront of his philosophy.

Graham Potter – Former manager of Chelsea and Brighton

Potter’s recent job at Chelsea was an underwhelming job considering the reputation he had built up at Brighton.

His Chelsea tenure lasted less than seven months, despite signing a long-term deal at the club.

He was unable to get his ideas across to the mass of players at the club and ultimately failed to make an impact.

The reputation he built up at Brighton was a bright, young manager who played open, expansive football and he had Brighton playing some excellent football up until his departure.

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Lee Carsley – England Under-21s manager

Carsley is probably more known for being a robust midfielder for Everton in the early 2000s but he has done some excellent work behind the scenes with the England Under-21s - winning the European Championships in 2023.

A lot of the team we saw in this summer’s European squad were part of that success last summer - players like Anthony Gordon, Adam Wharton, and the man who scored in the final, Cole Palmer.

Carsley has gained a reputation for playing some exciting, progressive football with the Under-21s, but his lack of top-level management experience may come as a concern for the FA.

However, that was the situation of Southgate at the time of his appointment back in 2016, as he held the role that Carsley has now.

Carsley may get the role temporarily, as he already works within the FA, but it is a huge decision to give him the role full-time.

Summary

Whoever is appointed by the FA has huge shoes to fill as Southgate has achieved great heights but the fans want someone who will take the team over that final hurdle, and win a major tournament.

With the World Cup in two years’ time, the work needs to start as soon as possible.

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