Sport
Contenders to be the next England manager
Another underwhelming international break has led to suggestions from a growing number of fans that Gareth Southgate is no longer the right man to manage England. Southgate led the Three Lions to the semi-finals of the last World Cup with a functional team but, amid the emergence of creative playmakers like Jack Grealish, England have seemingly gone backwards. It would still be a major surprise were Southgate not given the chance to lead England into next year’s Euros, while his contract is set to run until the next World Cup – Qatar 2022. The jockeying to replace Southgate may already be getting started. With that in mind, here are six men who could be in the frame to become the next England manager.
Six contenders to be the next England manager
Sean Dyche
The favourite to succeed Southgate and become the next England manager, according to the bookmakers, is Burnley boss Sean Dyche. Despite the Clarets having a slow start to the new Premier League season, Dyche’s reputation has not been hit hard due to the tough conditions under which he operates at Turf Moor.
Regarded as something of a throwback, Dyche would be unlikely to bring a more expansive style of football to England as he likes playing 4-4-2 almost as much as Mike Bassett. That said, defensive solidity and organisation are usually the key to success at international level. Dyche has proven over eight years at Burnley that he thrives in those departments.
Sam Allardyce was a similarly unfashionable choice but got his shot – albeit lasting a single game before having to leave the job – so could Dyche get the nod next?
Eddie Howe
Completely different to Dyche but another manager who has called Turf Moor home is Howe. Out of work since leaving Bournemouth following their relegation last term, Howe would likely bring a possession-focused style of play to the Three Lions were he to get the job.
Many believed Howe was guaranteed to be a future England manager as he led the Cherries to historic highs but the way they completely fell apart in the last year of his reign is a concern.
Howe continues to be linked with every job that comes up but he seems to be holding out for the right opportunity while he recharges his batteries after a draining end to life at Bournemouth. At 42 years of age, time is certainly on Howe’s side and some of the main deficiencies in his skillset, such as poor recruitment, would not be as much of an issue at international level.
Steven Gerrard
Former players are always popular punts and, with Rangers flying high in the Scottish Premiership, the time might be coming soon for Gerrard to move onwards and upwards.
The ex-Liverpool captain is a modern England great, with only three players having won more than his 114 caps. Gerrard, in his first managerial job, has battled through tough periods at Ibrox to give Rangers a chance of finally dethroning their Glasgow rivals Celtic this season.
Gerrard is still very inexperienced but he would surely jump at the chance to become the next England manager and win the international honours that escaped him during his playing career.
Graham Potter
A progressive choice might be the Brighton boss Potter, who has garnered rave reviews since taking charge of the Seagulls at the start of last season.
Potter, whose managerial career started in Sweden with Ostersunds, has a contract that runs all the way to 2025 at Brighton, meaning he may be an expensive appointment for England. But if England want to go with a highly regarded and tactically creative coach who has shown he can cut it in the Premier League, Potter might be towards the top of the next England manager shortlist.
Arsene Wenger
Should England opt for a non-native then Wenger is likely to be considered, with the Frenchman having already turned down the job on a couple of occasions in the past. However, he remains the most likely overseas candidate according to the current next England manager odds.
Wenger has been working with FIFA as its chief of global football development for the past year and it is unclear whether or not the 71-year-old would want to take another managerial post.
While his 22 years at Arsenal ended with being almost hounded out of the club by fans, Wenger is rightly considered one of the greatest managers in the history of the Premier League. One last hurrah with England might be the ideal way for the veteran to go out on a high.
Brendan Rodgers
Another non-Englishman who would be worthy of consideration is Rodgers, who for the second season in a row has Leicester City challenging at the top of the Premier League.
Rodgers’ CV is outstanding with countless trophies collected during his time at Celtic, while he was also a costly Gerrard slip away from leading Liverpool to the Premier League title. The 47-year-old may be rather fond of himself and too prone to talking himself up, but Rodgers’ record speaks for itself and he would be one of the top candidates to succeed Gareth Southgate.
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