Next England Manager: Southgate steps down with Tuchel and Potter linked with role

 

England's post-Euro 2024 inquest began as soon as soon as Francois Letexier blew for full time in Berlin on Sunday night. Gareth Southgate did well to navigate the Three Lions to a second successive Euros final but they were a level below this Spain side at the Olympiastadion. With it now confirmed that Southgate will step down as head coach, this will allow a fresh face to take the reins with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. 

 

With that, we've taken a look at what may happen next with England as we run through the candidates who could replace the 53-year-old for the national team. 

 

Lee Carsley 

 

The natural successor for Gareth Southgate, Lee Carsley is following the same path as the current England boss having taken over of the U21s back in 2021. 2023 has proven the pinnacle of his time in charge having guided England to the U21 European Championship in Romania and Georgia, incidentally defeating Spain to claim their first title since 1984. Progression dictates Carsley succeed Southgate, especially with the 50-year-old overseeing the development of some of the current young stars in the senior setup. 

 

Graham Potter 

 

The FA, though, may wish to go in a different direction and opt for a more established name to take over the reins. Graham Potter has been out of work since his dismissal as Chelsea head coach last April, this despite links with the likes of Leicester and Ajax. Despite his mixed spell at Stamford Bridge, Potter still has his admirers and rightly so. The 49-year-old has a knack for developing young players, which suits this current setup given the raft of youth talent on offer for the national team. Crucially, too, is that Potter would have the chance to establish an identity for England, a quality found wanting at Euro 2024 under Southgate. 

 

 

Mauricio Pochettino 

 

While club and international management differ, Mauricio Pochettino is held in high regard in England. The Argentine successfully guided Chelsea to sixth last season prior to his surprise Stamford Bridge exit in May. Now a free agent, Pochettino may well welcome the chance to oversee the national team as his way back into management. Whether the FA would want to go for a first overseas manager since Fabio Capello remains to be seen but the ex-Chelsea boss is well respected by a number of players in the England camp, notably captain Harry Kane, while Cole Palmer established himself as a world class talent under Pochettino's watchful eye. 

 

Eddie Howe 

 

Eddie Howe signed a long-term contract at Newcastle back in 2022, a deal that reportedly runs until 2027. It's inevitable that Howe will crop up on the shortlist of potential Southgate successors given the way he transformed this Newcastle side. The Magpies are understandably keen to keep the former Bournemouth boss at St. James' Park and are likely to be braced for potential interest in the 46-year-old. Much is dependent on whether the FA would be prepared to pay Howe out of his current contract at the Newcastle, or even whether he'd want the national team role in the first place. 

 

 

Thomas Tuchel 

 

In a similar position to Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel is currently out of work having left Bayern Munich at the end of the season. The German is believed to be one of the favourites to succeed Southgate as England weigh up their options. Again, the FA must make a decision on whether to push for another overseas coach but Tuchel is well respected in the game and this works in his favour. He'd be an exciting appointment that's for sure, and one who'd help carve out an identity to set the ideal foundation to deliver success for the Three Lions.

Next England Manager: Southgate steps down with Tuchel and Potter linked with role