Gareth Southgate Steps Down: Who Will Be England’s Next Head Coach?

Just a few days after the devastating loss against Spain, Gareth Southgate has resigned from his position as England manager after almost eight years – a move some think should have happened long ago.  

While Southgate achieved milestones that no England manager had before – reaching two consecutive Euro finals and advancing to the semi-finals of World Cup 2018 – his style often met with discontent from fans. In almost every Euro 2024 match, England barely escaped defeat.

Despite having a squad full of star players, including Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Harry Kane and Declan Rice, Southgate failed to find the optimal lineup. With the head coach position now vacant, here are the main candidates to replace him.

Eddie Howe

Eddie Howe is well-acquainted with English football, having coached Bournemouth for eight years. He is currently in charge of Newcastle and has helped the team qualify for the Champions League. 

Howe knows how to work with stars and select the ideal formation. Under his management, Newcastle has played attacking football, showcasing his capabilities as a decent manager.

Although he signed a new contract with Newcastle in 2022, it remains uncertain whether he will adhere to it if offered the England job.

If Howe becomes the new head coach, he might agree to a salary cut. Given his Premier League experience, Eddie Howe appears to be a promising candidate for England.

Lee Carsley

Lee Carsley is the current head coach of England’s U21 team. His path mirrors that of Southgate, who also managed the Under-21 side between 2013 and 2016.

Carsley led the U21 team to glory in last year’s championship, where England coincidentally beat Spain 1-0. He was offered the job as Ireland’s head coach but turned it down.

While being the head coach of a senior team is a different challenge, Carsley has shown his capability to reorganize a squad. However, he will have to exert tremendous effort to work with elite footballers. 

Graham Potter

Graham Potter gained recognition as an innovative coach during his tenure with Brighton. The Seagulls played attacking football with high pressure, which led Chelsea to sign him. However, Potter struggled with the Blues and was eventually sacked in April 2023.

Despite his dismissal, Potter remains one of the most respected coaches in England. He previously turned down an opportunity to manage Sweden, but the England job might be too significant to reject.

Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino brings years of experience from his time with Tottenham, where he regularly qualified for the Champions League and reached the final in 2019, losing to Liverpool. Although he failed to impress at Chelsea, the Argentine coach remains a suitable candidate.

After leaving the Blues, Pochettino is eager to continue his career. His passion for football and determination are qualities that England needs right now in the midst of a chaotic situation.

Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel is another high-profile manager being considered for the position of England’s new head coach. He left his job at Bayern at the end of the season despite having offers for a contract renewal.

Tuchel, who also managed Chelsea (winning the Champions League), Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain, has expressed interest in the England job. He was also previously linked with replacing Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.