Who could Succeed Southgate as England Manager?

With speculation rife over Gareth Southgate’s future following Euro 2024 heartbreak, who could succeed him as England manager?

A late 2-1 defeat to Spain saw England become the first team to lose two consecutive Euro finals and left manager, Gareth Southgate pondering if he has taken the Three Lions as far as he can.

Here, I take a look at six managers who certainly ought to be in the mix for that potential England job.

 

Jurgen Klopp

Having departed Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years in charge, Jurgen Klopp springs to mind as the immediate candidate who would suit England.

Famed for his high-intensity pressing style of play which coincidentally is what took Spain to the Euro 2024 title, Klopp might well be the manager needed to change England’s fortunes from a conservative low-block possession to high-press attacking side ready to take that step to glory.

In terms of tactics, Klopp is adaptable and not afraid to take some risks if necessary which was a weak point in Southgate’s skillset as a manager, and that aspect could be just what England need both in terms of team selection and in-game tactical tweaks.

The German also isn’t afraid to blend youth with experience as seen throughout his time at Anfield and would ensure continuity of Southgate’s legacy in promoting youth, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones amongst prominent names.

Klopp would also be a manager who would go down well with fans given his energetic personality, but international football is a different minefield to club football.

 

Pep Guardiola

If England want one of the top title-winning managers in modern football then Pep Guardiola might well be the best name around.

Whilst Klopp plays a high-intensity press style, Guardiola also has a possession-based element to his style which clearly has worked, as evidenced by his 15 titles with Manchester City and has won numerous titles at every club that he has managed – which includes three FIFA Club World Cup titles.

Guardiola also is familiar with many of the England players from his current City players like; Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones, to those who have played against his City team over the years underlining the potential for development with him at the helm.

Like Klopp, Guardiola also has a solid rate in promoting youth with Foden, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis having come through City’s academy to represent England at senior level, whilst James McAtee and Tommy Doyle are promising names for England’s future.

International football however is different to club football meaning that Guardiola would be in the same boat as Klopp, but the Catalonian deserves a shot at managing a national team especially if rumours of him ruling out the Spain managerial post are true.

 

Mauricio Pochettino

Widely considered a top talent at promoting youngsters, Mauricio Pochettino deserves to be in the mix given his track record with young players.

You just have to look at what he achieved at Tottenham between 2014 – 2019 with then-young players like Eric Dier and Harry Kane, plus more recently with Alfie Gilchrist at Chelsea last season to know that Pochettino would continue Southgate’s legacy in giving young talent a chance.

Pochettino too would inherit a quality squad who currently play out from defence but that could lead to a fear of new managerial face, yet same old low-block possession football but with more high pressing which is what England need more of if want trophies.

 

Eddie Howe

Widely considered as the natural English successor to Southgate, Eddie Howe is bound to be mentioned on the rumour mill even though he seems committed to Newcastle amidst their Financial Fair Play concerns.

Howe though does play a more attack based style with long balls which would mark a departure from Southgate’s low-block approach, yet they do play out from the back offering a small continuity of Southgate’s style but with more attacking press and simpler tactics.

The ex Bournemouth boss though would need some lucrative prising to lure him away from St James’ Park where he seems settled with a long-term project, so it is tough to see him walking away to take on a tricky job with the expectations of a title is higher than ever before.

 

Sean Dyche

If Howe can’t be prised away from Newcastle and the FA want another English manager, Sean Dyche could be a capable replacement for Southgate.

Dyche however could be arguably considered a downgrade by some fans, particularly given that his only solid managerial success is achieving two promotions with Burnley – although he does know how to lift silverware with 2015-16 Championship title.

Dyche’s direct counter-attacking style though would mark a departure in terms of playing style, yet it would play nicely to the strengths of Foden, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka in terms of crosses and wing play.

England however are expected to challenge for silverware so Dyche would face a huge challenge, because international football will be a different proposition compared to club football and there would be questions over his credentials.

 

Thomas Frank

If England want a manager who can play high-press attacking football but deliver solid defensive play, Thomas Frank might be the ideal candidate given how entertaining Brentford have been under his watch.

From organised defensive press to a compact high-press with the whole team involved, Frank could continue Southgate’s low block but adapted into a higher press which would suit the current squad nicely with more off-ball pressing.

England would also benefit from Frank in terms of set-pieces given his ability to mix up the set-pieces tactically, which could be a solid weapon with strong aerial threats in the box as well as players who can follow up with second balls.

Frank also loves his formation rotation and shape changes within games and you have to feel that aspect could be what England need at times, yet they struggled to make those changes outside of substitutions under Southgate.

Unlike other names above, Frank also has experience from his time working within Denmark’s national team at youth levels, whilst his tactical versatility could be a huge asset for a team in need of tactical creativity in their manager.

Simply put it this way, if Southgate goes then you would be mad not to try and swoop for Frank, such is his understanding of the English game and international experience on top of tactical versatility.