England... So Near, So Far
As England players and fans try to digest another losing final at Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate has announced his resignation as national manager.
Despite plenty of criticism from fans and pundits across the tournament, the Three Lions managed to reach a second successive final, before coming up against a formidable Spain side, that fully deserved to be crowned champions.
Southgate remains one of the most successful (and divisive) managers to lead the Three Lions since Sir Alf Ramsey, having won more knock-out matches than all previous managers since the 1966 World Cup winner lead the nation to glory.
![Gareth Southgate 2018 06 13](https://bookiesbonuses.imgix.net/assets/local/Gareth_Southgate_2018-06-13.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=clip&q=75&w=633&s=b56ffb0f0db7e8fab6fba0a30f083732)
Gareth Southgate during happier times as England manager.
So, the big question is, who will take the role and potentially lead what is a vastly talented side into the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
We take a look at the potential favourites across the best football betting sites, with a look at their relative records and play styles.
Next England Boss.... The Contenders
With bookmakers across the UK providing odds on the next England manager, it's clear that there are realistically three genuine contenders, with a couple of outsiders potentially in the frame too.
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Eddie Howe is arguably the fan's favourite for the job and has now moved into the top slot with bookies too. The current Newcastle United boss built his reputation at AFC Bournemouth between 2012-2020, taking them from League One to the Premier League.
That last season, the Cherries were relegated and Howe left the club, before returning to management 14 months later and taking the St James’s Park hot seat.
Howe has a strong track record of improving young players and likes his sides to press the opposition, which is something most England fans can get behind.
One major stumbling block could be the cost of getting Howe out of his Newcastle contract, however, there have been murmurs of the Magpies owners looking to attract a “bigger name” manager, which leaves the door open for the FA to get their man.
Graham Potter has drifted slightly, after being favourite, but still has plenty of support from fans and pundits alike, thanks to his attacking, possession-based style of play.
Potter made a name for himself in Sweden, managing Ostersund, taking them through several promotions and into the top-flight for the first time in their history.
He then returned to the UK, managing Swansea City and Brighton, before securing a role as Chelsea boss. A difficult spell at Stamford Bridge ended in April 2023, but he is held in high regard and the lack of a current role, would make negotiations easy for the FA.
The former Irish international has been a key part of the England youth setup since 2015, managing both the Under 20’s and Under 21’s since 2020 and winning the Euro U-21 Championship, ironically beating Spain 1-0 last Summer.
Although you will be hard-pressed to find many supporting the appointment, the fact that Carsley is already in the FA setup and knows how to get the best out of the likes of Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon from the U-21’s, will make the FA board see him as a perfect fit, despite the expected protestations from fans, who will see it as another “yes man” appointed.
At 12/1, the former Liverpool manager leads the best of the rest, but could the German be tempted in the first place?
Much was made of various rumours about Klopp towards the end of last season, before the man himself announced he was leaving Anfield, having "run out of energy", which puts a big dampener on any potential move by the FA board.
His record speaks for itself, both at Liverpool and previously at Borussia Dortmund, but as much as I and many others would enjoy the idea of Klopp taking over, even a ridiculously huge financial offer wouldn’t be good enough to change his mind and for some, that's a big shame.
The Argentine would be a controversial selection, with the lustre of performances at Southampton and Tottenham, dulled by struggles at both PSG and Chelsea since then.
Of all the main candidates, "Poch" has the most to prove, having struggled since his days at St. Mary's and White Hart Lane. At PSG, with a huge array of talent at his disposal, he somehow managed to not win the league, finishing a point behind Lille.
After a year break, the Argentine returned to management with Chelsea, but poor results, a bloated squad and disagreements with the clubs transfer policy saw him leave back in May of this year.
Pochettino’s style of play would certainly excite, but the clamour for his services has certainly waned over the last few years and I for one, would be surprised to see him in the frame for the job, unless others dropped out.
My Opinion
I'd love to see Jurgen Klopp get the job, just for the sheer audacity of the FA making that sort of appointment, but the timing is very much off.
With that in mind, I've gone for Eddie Howe. He suits the role, has a good style of play and I have a sneaking suspicion that Newcastle might be open to negotiation.