5 Managers Who Could Replace Gareth Southgate

Article By: Callum Moseley (@CallumMosMedia)

Despite finishing the 2018 World Cup as semi-finalists and the 2020 European Championships as runners-up, the pressure on current England manager Gareth Southgate has never been higher. Fans have been quick to turn on Southgate in recent months as defeat on Monday against Germany, could mean the three lions will head to Qatar without a win in six, on their worst run for almost a decade. 

Although we can almost guarantee that Gareth Southgate will still be in charge when the tournament begins in November, I have decided to take the time to pick out five potential managerial options should England look to part ways with our current manager post-tournament. 

Let's begin...

Option A - Graham Potter (Chelsea FC, Head Coach)

Now, personally I don't see Potter even considering this role, he is the current bookies favourite to replace Gareth Southgate. Graham Potter began his managerial career in bizarre circumstances, landing a role at Swedish fourth division side Ostersund, but quickly gained spotlight after taking them through the leagues to the first division as well as landing a spot in the Europa Leagues. He remained in Sweden until 2018, before returning to the United Kingdom, taking over as manager of Championship side Swansea City during the 2018/19 season. 

After winning over 41% of his total matches in South Wales, Potter was appointed as manager of Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. On the south coast, Potter transformed Brighton from a relegation threatened side, to a side that was competing in the top-half and looking stronger every season, sitting fourth in the league until he was offered a role he couldn't refuse. This saw him become the new manager of Chelsea, which occurred just a week ago, and he drew his debut match.

Potter's style of play is definitely a unique style, one that encourages attacking football, making him the complete opposite of Gareth Southgate. However, although I'd like Potter to take the reins one day, he has only just took over at Chelsea and he has already stated that he isn't interested in international management just yet. Therefore, he won't really be an option to the FA until at least 2028 and even then, it's not guaranteed that he will stick to his word about the prospect of managing the three lions. I think we can definitely rule this one out. 

Option B - Eddie Howe (Newcastle United, Head Coach)

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is a name that is also constantly mentioned whenever a discussion about England's next manager comes to light. This makes sense given the vast majority of English supporters want an English manager to take over as foreign managers have very rarely (if ever) worked. Despite being just 44-years-old, Howe is a manager that has always impressed me, and he's currently bringing attractive football back to St. James' Park. 

He was the anchor behind AFC Bournemouth's rise from League Two to the Premier League, as well as a brief stint as manager of Championship side Burnley between 2011 and 2012. He became manager of Newcastle back in 2021, replacing Steve Bruce following the clubs eventual takeover. He also became the first manager since 2004, to guide Newcastle to six consecutive league home wins and has currently won over 41% of all matches in the North East. 

Eddie Howe is definitely a manager that would be promising appointment but we await to see whether the opportunity to manage the English national team, could prize him away from the richest club in world football. He's never managed any of the youth sides, but has played for the U21s as a player, so although it's not entirely convincing, he does have a vague idea of what the setup is like and the types of roles that could be required of him. I would also like to see him take control one day, but I can't imagine him being at the top of the FA's list.  

Option C - Chris Powell (England, Senior Team Coach)

As an outside option, I have decided to go with the experienced Chris Powell. The 53-year-old was the interim manager of Tottenham Hotspur, alongside Ryan Mason before Antonio Conte's arrival. Therefore, his managerial qualities would certainly have been improved since his disappointing end to his spell as manager of Southend United in 2019. He made a promising start for the then League One side but was sacked after a winless run of eleven league games, with his side sat 20th. 

Powell isn't shy in management, having began a stint as caretaker manager of Leicester City back in 2010, before spells at Charlton Athletic (2011-2014), Huddersfield Town (2014-2015) and Derby County as a caretaker in 2016. Since his time at Southend, Powell has been the assistant manager at Dutch side ADO Den Haag, learning even more knowledge, as well as becoming the interim manager at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur back in 2021. 

Chris Powell isn't a household name respectfully, but is currently a coach in the England setup, and will know so much more about the tactics, abilities of the players at international level and much more. He will know exactly what sort of tactics the players are using and the areas of the squad that need tweaking/changing in order to improve performances. Currently. if Gareth Southgate was to leave, he would most likely become interim manager and would be the strongest in terms of an immediate appointment 

Option D - Lee Carsley (England U21s, Manager)

Following on from Powell, England's U21s manager Lee Carsley is another manager who will be a lot more qualified to taking the reins from Gareth Southgate if/when he departs from his role. Admittedly, Carsley isn't the strongest name on paper, but his record for the nations U21s, makes him an option for the FA for sure. He has won 75% of his matches in charge, which is nine wins from a possible twelve games, without including the draw he's also had in charge. 

Carsley has had plenty of managerial experience, beginning with a two time stint as caretaker manager of his former club Coventry City in 2012 and again in 2013. He also has managed Brentford B and Brentford before returning to the youth system in 2016, taking over as manager of Manchester City's U18s and Birmingham City's U23s in 2017. He returned to senior management briefly in 2018, as caretaker manager of Birmingham before having two years out of the game. Upon his return, he managed England U20s as well as promotion to being the England U21s manager. 

On paper, Carsley is nowhere near the heights of the bookies odds, but is definitely an easy/quick appointment to make, especially considering a large part of the squad have played under him at either the U20s or U21s level. The experience that he has, having worked in the England setup since 2020, would allow for a very quick transition and would maintain the similar style of football which the three lions play. Now, that's not the most attractive or proudest of circumstances, but the way in which England play is very impressive until the final third and if Southgate leaves, Carsley will definitely be keen. 

Option E - John Herdman (Canada, Head Coach)

My final option for this blog is the current Canadian manager John Herdman (Shoutout to CJ Joiner on Twitter for the suggestion). Despite never having a senior career or managing in England, Herdman is in fact from County Durham but moved South to New Zealand in 2003. Aged just 47, Herdman still has plenty of years ahead of him, and is definitely going to be familiar with the current stars of the squad. This includes the young players in the current squad, such as Manchester City's Phil Foden and Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham. 

In 2006, aged just 29, Herdman became manager of the New Zealand women's national team. He successfully helped guide the nation to back-to-back World Cup qualifications in 2007 and 2011 as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Five years later, Herdman made the switch to Canada, become the women's national team manager and within months, he helped lead his side to a gold medal at the 2011 PanAmerican Games. He also guided them to winning a bronze medal at London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic games, before leaving to become the mens Canadian national team manager in 2018. He has since guided them up the FIFA world rankings to 43rd in the world and qualification to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

You'd be forgiven for not hearing of the name 'John Herdman' before, but his strong performances are only adding to the level of publicity that he is currently receiving. His ability to guide Canada through the FIFA world rankings, to 43rd is utterly exceptional and a job as good as that, definitely deserves a big money switch to a more senior management side. He definitely plays a brand of more attacking football, which is something that Gareth Southgate lacks, so definitely keep an eye out for the future of the Herdman links.