Potter, Guardiola, Klopp: Who Could Be Next England Manager?

Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager after eight years in the job in which the Three Lions reached two finals.

Conversations will now switch to who could replace the former Middlesbrough boss as manager of the English national team.

It is one of the most alluring seats in international football, but also one of the most intimidating.

The English FA will be looking to swiftly replace Southgate, even if temporarily at first.

England are set to play against Ireland in the first match of their Nations League campaign on September 7th.

That said, let’s take a look at a few stand-out names who could take over the Three Lions.

Graham Potter

Ex Chelsea Graham Potter

With current availability and Premier League experience, Graham Potter is expected to be the frontrunner in the bookmakers’ eyes to succeed Southgate.

The ex-Brighton and Chelsea manager could be a perfect candidate to take over England if FA officials intend to maintain the same style of football that led the Three Lions to two Euros finals.

It would perhaps be the safest bet for England, with the Nations League now on the horizon.

Though not a World Cup or a Euros title, it’s an opportunity for England to ‘put right’ their shortcomings on the international stage.

Under Potter, England could seamlessly resume their progress from where they left off under Southgate and make another push for a trophy.

Eddie Howe

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe

Similar to Potter, Eddie Howe boasts a higher level of Premier League experience, but the Newcastle manager, backed by Saudi owners, is presently unavailable.

Managers can work for a nation and a club at the same time, but it’s uncommon and it would be especially bizarre to do so for a Premier League club and a competitive country.

That said, Newcastle underperformed last season and it has left Howe in an imperfect position at St James’ Park.

The former Bournemouth boss has long since been linked with the England job and an offer from the FA could be too difficult to turn down.

A lot of uncertainty surrounds, but Howe is definitely a name that will be discussed by FA chiefs.

Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola Manchester City

Due to his accomplishments in the Premier League, Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has been a topic of discussion among England fans as a potential replacement for Southgate for some time.

Though, it remains to be seen if the Catalan will have the appetite to take on such a job when his reign at the Etihad Stadium ends.

Unlike the two managers mentioned before him, Guardiola has won major honors and a lot of them.

A change could be good for England, with Southgate’s ‘safe’ brand of football seemingly only able to get the Three Lions into finals and not win them.

Guardiola has one year left on his contract with City and could fancy a new challenge next summer.

However, England would have to be patient and appoint an interim manager for the upcoming Nations League.

It is at this point it’s worth mentioning Lee Carsley, manager of England’s U21s, as his name is almost certainly going to crop up in the coming weeks.

Jurgen Klopp

Ex Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Emphasized by his recent Liverpool exit, Jurgen Klopp is another big name who England fans have been dreaming could take over after Southgate.

In contrast to the former Middlesbrough player, Klopp’s “heavy metal” football style would represent a significant change for Three Lions supporters.

Klopp, like Guardiola, has won many major trophies in his career and the FA might view him as the individual who could ultimately guide England to their second trophy.

Yet, Klopp is reportedly interested in potentially becoming the manager of Germany in the future, and he may want to keep his options open in case Julian Nagelsmann vacates the position.

Additionally, Klopp isn’t long out of the Liverpool hot-seat and previously said he was “running out of energy”.