Following Gareth Southgate’s resignation as England manager after their Euro 2024 final loss, we examine the top contenders for his replacement.
Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager after their loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
Regardless of opinions on England’s performance under Southgate, it’s undeniable that he leaves the Three Lions in a much stronger position than when he took over in 2016.
After managing 102 games, securing 61 wins, 24 draws, and 17 defeats, with 213 goals scored and 72 conceded, and a win percentage of 59.8%, Southgate departs with his head held high. He led England to a World Cup semi-final, a quarter-final, and two European Championship finals. While his tenure concluded without a trophy, he reignited hope for England fans after decades of disappointment.
The FA must now look to the future, and so will we. How do you succeed the man who made the impossible job possible? We explore the early favorites for the next England manager, along with some potential long-shot candidates.
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Graham Potter
Graham Potter
The former manager of Swansea City, Brighton, and Chelsea, Graham Potter, has been out of work since leaving Stamford Bridge in April 2023.
Potter’s career path is unconventional for an English manager. He began with Swedish fourth division side Östersund in 2011, leading them to the top flight in just four years. In the 2017-18 season, they competed in the UEFA Europa League and even defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, although they eventually lost 4-2 on aggregate.
After a brief stint at Swansea, Potter was appointed by Brighton to replace Chris Hughton at the end of the 2018-19 season. At the Amex, he managed 135 games, achieving 42 wins, 46 draws, and 47 losses, but those statistics don’t capture the full story.
Under Potter, Brighton gained a reputation for their slick, attractive, attacking football, consistently appearing just a top-class goalscorer away from seriously challenging the Premier League’s top teams.
In the 2021-22 Premier League season, Brighton finished ninth, and only the traditional ‘big six’ teams attempted more than their 489 total shots. Only Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea averaged more than their 54.3% possession. Additionally, his Seagulls side was known for high pressing, with only Liverpool (443) and Manchester City (378) recording more high turnovers than Brighton (377) that season.
This caught the attention of Chelsea, who hired Potter from Brighton in September 2022 to replace Thomas Tuchel (who we’ll discuss shortly). However, things didn’t go as planned for Potter in London. By the time he was dismissed in April 2023, Potter had the joint-lowest points-per-game record of any manager with 20+ Premier League games for Chelsea, averaging just 1.27 points per game.
Chelsea also faced a similar issue as Brighton, underperforming their expected goals (xG) by 7.4 (scoring 21 goals from 28.4 xG) in the Premier League during Potter’s tenure—the worst differential in the competition during that period.
Despite these challenges, there were some positives. Potter became only the second English manager to win five UEFA Champions League games in a single season, following Bobby Robson with Newcastle in 2002-03 (also five wins).
While his struggles with a high-expectation team might raise concerns about his suitability for the England role, where the next step is winning a trophy, his ability to implement impressive attacking football could earn him more leniency from fans than Southgate received.
Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe
Apart from an underwhelming year and a half at Burnley, Eddie Howe’s early career was highlighted by nearly a decade at Bournemouth, where he guided the team from League Two to the Premier League.
After five seasons in the top flight, Bournemouth were relegated at the end of the 2019-20 campaign, leading to Howe’s departure from the Vitality Stadium.
It was a surprise to some when Howe replaced Steve Bruce at Newcastle United in November 2021. Many assumed the club’s new owners would opt for a bigger name, but Howe has delivered impressive results at St James’ Park.
In 2022, Howe became only the third English manager to win more than 20 Premier League matches in a calendar year (21), following Kevin Keegan (24 in 1994, 23 in 1995 with Newcastle) and Roy Evans (22 in 1996 with Liverpool).
He led Newcastle to a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification in the 2022-23 season, making the Magpies particularly tough to beat. They lost only five league games that season, the joint-fewest in the Premier League alongside champions Manchester City. Newcastle also conceded the joint-fewest goals that season, along with City (33).
Being difficult to beat is crucial in tournament football, as England has found in recent years.
The Three Lions also struggled to create chances at Euro 2024, with nine teams in the tournament having a higher xG total despite only Spain playing as many games as them. In 2022-23, only Manchester City and Brighton amassed more xG in the Premier League than Newcastle, while only City, Liverpool, and Arsenal had greater xG—and indeed, scored more goals—last season.
It might be challenging for the FA to extract Howe from his Newcastle contract, which extends until 2027. While some reports hint at a potential buyout clause, the availability of other ‘free’ candidates could deter the decision-makers.
Lee Carsley
This appointment could arguably make the most sense given the context of replacing Southgate. Southgate was promoted from the England Under-21s to the senior team as part of the ‘England DNA’ initiative, and his relative success suggests the FA might look for a similar approach, which points to U21 manager Carsley.
It’s not just because Carsley is the current U21 boss, but also due to the impressive work he has done.
Appointed as U21 manager in July 2021, Carsley has overseen 17 games in U21 European Championship qualifiers, achieving 14 wins, one draw, and two losses, with a goal tally of 58 scored and only 12 conceded.
He also has a winning track record, having led the U21s to victory in the 2023 European Championship, where England defeated Spain 1-0 in the final. Under his guidance, England won all six matches in the tournament, scoring 11 goals and keeping a clean sheet throughout.
Carsley’s team is known for its attacking style and goal-scoring prowess, with notable victories including a 9-1 win against Serbia in October 2023, a 5-0 triumph over Azerbaijan, and a 7-0 victory against Luxembourg in March 2024.
One significant difference between Southgate and Carsley is that Southgate had prior senior managerial experience with Middlesbrough before his England appointment. In contrast, Carsley has never held a permanent senior managerial role, having worked in youth football at Brentford, Manchester City, and Birmingham City before joining the England setup. While he has served as a caretaker or interim manager at various clubs, the question remains whether he is ready for the challenge of managing such a high-profile senior team.
However, Luis de la Fuente, who won the Euros with Spain in 2024, was appointed in 2022 despite being out of senior management for over a decade, during which he achieved success at the U19 and U21 levels. This suggests that experience in international football, even at the youth level, can be crucial and possibly more relevant than prior club management experience.
Thomas Tuchel
If the decision-makers are open to considering non-English managers, Thomas Tuchel could be a viable option.
Currently out of work after departing Bayern Munich at the end of the season, Tuchel has a proven track record in major tournaments, having won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.
Remarkably, just 350 days after taking charge of Chelsea, Tuchel became the first manager in the club’s history to lead the Blues to the finals of the League Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League/European Cup.
While Tuchel’s tenure at Stamford Bridge began promisingly, it eventually faced challenges. Over 100 games as Chelsea’s manager, he conceded 24 goals in his first 50 matches, but in the next 50 games, the team conceded 53 goals.
Tuchel can be a polarizing figure, with some criticizing his tactics as overly negative and others finding his forthright personality off-putting.
Although Bayern Munich did not win the Bundesliga last season, Tuchel led them to the Champions League semi-finals, becoming the first German coach to reach the final four of the Champions League with three different clubs (Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern).
A significant point in Tuchel’s favor is his outstanding management of Harry Kane last season. Despite the shortcomings of England’s captain at Euro 2024, Kane had a remarkable first season in the Bundesliga, even though he didn’t win the league.
He scored 44 goals in 45 games for Bayern, including 36 in the Bundesliga, demonstrating that the team was effectively structured to maximize his scoring potential. While Kane’s success with England has been notable, it may not be as well-supported in the current setup. What is clear is that Tuchel has a proven ability to get the best out of Kane and help him score plenty of goals.
Mauricio Pochettino
Another strong candidate is Mauricio Pochettino, who has a proven track record of getting the best out of Harry Kane. He also has experience at Chelsea, having previously managed the club.
Pochettino himself seems likely to be a popular choice, and the number of voices advocating for an Argentine manager for England speaks volumes about the respect he has earned in the Premier League.
Pochettino’s rise in England was swift. After a successful stint at Southampton, he took the reins at Tottenham and revitalized their performance at White Hart Lane. Under his leadership, Spurs secured a second-place Premier League finish in the 2016-17 season and reached the Champions League final in 2019. Notably, Pochettino holds the record for the best points-per-game average (1.89) among Tottenham managers with over 30 Premier League matches.
1.89 – Mauricio Pochettino averaged 1.89 points per game in charge of Spurs in the Premier League, the best ratio of any manager for the club (30+ games). Coveted. pic.twitter.com/ahPjILmeoo
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 29, 2023
While Pochettino aligns with the desired playing style, his trophy haul is limited. His only silverware came during his PSG tenure (Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions).
His Chelsea stint remains an unclear picture. He inherited a congested squad with young players and faced a season marred by injuries. Despite a challenging 2023-24, Chelsea managed a sixth-place finish by season’s end, just before Pochettino’s departure.
This frees him up for discussions with the FA. Similar to Southgate, Pochettino enjoys strong player relationships, a crucial factor in international football.
Jürgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp, the former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager, has emerged as a potential candidate, and for good reason. Klopp’s achievements in England are undeniable.
During his reign at Liverpool, he secured nearly every trophy imaginable, including the elusive Premier League title, ending their 30-year drought. He steered them to three Champions League finals, lifting the trophy once. Notably, Klopp’s teams consistently surpassed the 90-point mark in three different seasons, battling head-to-head with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Klopp’s high-octane, attacking brand of football at Liverpool stands in stark contrast to Southgate’s England team. Additionally, the German manager possesses the expertise to maximize the potential of a unique talent like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, Klopp’s availability remains a question mark. After leaving Liverpool at the close of the 2023-24 season due to burnout and a desire for a year-long break, he has only been out of management for two months. A swift U-turn seems improbable. While he previously accepted the Liverpool role in 2015 shortly after leaving Dortmund, he waited at least until October.
Reports suggest Klopp has already rejected the US national team manager position. Given his planned sabbatical and the intense scrutiny surrounding the England job, even with a lighter workload compared to club management, an abrupt change of heart appears unlikely.
Outsiders Getting Traction
Sean Dyche
Dyche’s lower ranking on the favorites list might raise eyebrows. While his Everton tenure started slowly, his performance under challenging circumstances—a relegation battle and points deductions—deserves recognition.
Dyche’s history, across Watford, Burnley, and now Everton, speaks volumes. He consistently extracts the best from his players, prioritizing results over flamboyant playing styles, which some consider a weakness under Southgate.
Dyche’s affinity for English talent is undeniable. Notably, the last 45 instances of a Premier League team fielding 9+ Englishmen in the starting lineup all occurred under his management (41 at Burnley, 4 at Everton).
Gary O’Neil
Despite limited managerial experience, O’Neil has impressed at both Bournemouth and Wolves, attracting attention from bigger clubs. His success in securing Bournemouth’s Premier League survival in 2022-23 was overshadowed by their decision to appoint a different manager. However, Wolves quickly snapped him up.
O’Neil’s impact at Wolves was swift. By February 25th, 2024, they had matched their entire 2022-23 win total (11 wins) in just 26 games. Notably, they achieved the club’s fastest 40-goal mark in a top-flight season since 1971-72 (23rd game). While their season ended on a weaker note due to injuries, relegation was never a serious threat.
Frank Lampard
Lampard boasts the unique distinction of being the first England player on this list. However, his recent managerial stints at Everton and Chelsea haven’t bolstered his candidacy.
Lampard’s record includes an undesirable milestone. In May 2023, he became the first English manager since 1988 to lose 10 consecutive top-flight matches.
Despite the underwhelming results, Lampard possesses valuable assets. His experience in high-pressure matches and his punditry work, showcasing tactical knowledge, could be seen as positives. While a humorous suggestion of him returning as a player is included, Lampard’s potential as a manager shouldn’t be entirely dismissed.
Steven Gerrard
Discussing Lampard for England inevitably leads to Gerrard. Similar to his former teammate, Gerrard’s managerial standing has suffered in recent times.
His success at Rangers was undeniable. He masterfully ended Celtic’s decade-long league dominance and began his Aston Villa tenure promisingly. However, things deteriorated rapidly, leading him to his current position at Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.
A Tongue-in-Cheek Suggestion: Gerrard-Lampard Partnership
In a humorous vein, one might propose a joint Gerrard-Lampard management team for England, allowing them to finally find on-field synergy. Should such a scenario arise, including Michael Carrick as an assistant coach would be highly recommended.
