Gareth Southgate, the England manager, has stepped down from national duty. Southgate is undoubtedly England’s most successful manager in giving results in major tournaments and qualifying deep up to the knockouts.
Only left behind by Sir Alf Ramsey, England’s only World Cup-winning coach, Southgate has the same number of trophies as his predecessors, precisely none. Southgate has evolved English football, and all his credits and innovations would have been wasted had he kept his role as the English manager.
Despite immense praise at times when Southgate led England to two consecutive Euro finals alongside a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final, he was humiliated by throwing cups at his own raged fans. This has been the common reception that enraged English fans have given, even to the most respected men on the field.
Since the FA has made an official announcement about finding a replacement for Southgate, many possible suitors for the role have approached the English management.
Among them, let’s have a look at the best possible candidates who could be ideal to replace Gareth Southgate.
Top 5 contenders for England manager
Jurgen Klopp
The Liverpool manager has seen immensely widespread success with the Red Devils. He was known for his aggressive intent at Anfield over the course of nine long years. The German can be strolled in by the FA, as his position over the years in England could act as a tranquillizer for Southgate’s exit.
Klopp, though restored to not managing an English team further in his career, never ruled out the possibility of a national side, as the low work rate of international football can also suit his long-short leave status.
Sarina Wiegman
Wiegman, the name might amaze you a bit, but with her likely stardom and success, she has seen with the English lioness and the Oranje women have made a commendable effect in international football, and the Three Lions might look to take advantage of her expertise for their looming success.
He has had Euro championship victories with the Netherlands and England while also taking them to the World Cup finals; however, keeping aside equality, it still seems a bit unlikely for a woman to manage a men’s national side.
Steven Gerrard
Gerrard, to date, remains one of the most exceptional English players on the pitch in his position for the Three Lions. However, to put it honestly, he has not had the best of records as a manager, just like fellow countrymate Frank Lampard.
Gerrard’s only success has been in the Scottish division of football, where he led Rangers to victory; however, since then, he has had worthless seasons at Aston Villa and Suadi Pro League. Despite Lampard also being on the hunt for the role and Gerrard having a job to keep, the temptation of managing England remains too firm for an Englishman.
Graham Potter
Potter has often been known for his aggressive mindset in the game and his drastic decisions even with the greatest of players, which is unlikely with Southgate’s style of play.
But football remains a game of action, and Potter is a man to do so; however, the Chelsea boss has not worked since the Blues sacked him in 2023, following which he has denied offers from Ajax and several big clubs, which hints at him looking for a probable national call.
Eddie Howe
Howe is probably the most likely man to step in the shoes of Southgate after being largely reputed to take over ruins and turn them into gold, as he led Newcastle to the Champions League following his first whole season with the EPL club.
With some crucial heads gone, if he turns equally effective with the Newcastle side, no one would consider anyone but him for the role of English manager, replacing Gareth Southgate’s rich legacy.
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