Candidates in line for England job after Southgate exit rumours

Recent reports suggest Gareth Southgate's time as England manager could end after Euro 2024 next summer.

Southgate will have been in the role eight years by that point and have led the Three Lions at four major tournaments, meaning a fresh start for both parties could well be in the offing.

Ahead of Saturday's qualifier against Ukraine, we look at the candidates who could succeed the 53-year-old as boss.

Pep Guardiola

Managerial icon Pep Guardiola is reportedly the FA's dream successor to Southgate's throne.

The Catalan tactician has spent seven trophy-laden years in England as Manchester City boss and has always signalled his desire to eventually move into international management. 

But whether he picks England over his native Spain when that time comes remains to be seen.

Sarina Wiegman

A move for England women's boss Sarina Wiegman would be similarly bold. 

The Lionesses manager is one of only two England managers to have ever won a major tournament — so she is ahead of the competition in that regard.

FA chief Mark Bullingham has not ruled out the possibility of the Dutch coach being considered for the men's role but that depends on whether she would actually go for it.

Lee Carsley

The current favourite in some quarters is neither Guardiola or Wiegman, however, but European Under-21 Championship-winning manager Lee Carsley.

The former Everton midfielder led the Young Lions to glory in convincing fashion this summer, earning plenty of plaudits.

That could stand him in good stead to make the move to the top job from youth level, just as Southgate did seven years ago.

Eddie Howe

Since his days leading Bournemouth from obscurity to the Premier League, Eddie Howe has long been touted as a potential England manager.

That clamour is unlikely to fade having since taken Newcastle to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

But should his time at the ambitious Magpies come to an end, the Three Lions role could prove an attractive one.

Graham Potter

Graham Potter had a similarly strong reputation prior to his ill-fated spell in charge of Chelsea and would surely still be an option the FA would consider.

The 48-year-old earned the Blues job after leading Brighton to their highest ever finish at the time in 2021-22, deploying an attractive brand of football while doing so.

Potter appears unlikely to be out of work for too long but another Premier League role could be the more logical next step.

Thomas Tuchel

A more left-field choice is former Chelsea and current Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel.

The German coach is another to express his interest in the England role previously.

He could prove a strong choice to link up with Harry Kane for the national team should the Three Lions captain's time at the Allianz Arena be a success.

Jose Mourinho

An alternative wildcard option is another former Blues boss, Jose Mourinho, who revealed he was close to taking over the Three Lions from Steve McClaren in 2007.

Now 16 years on, the Roma coach is said to have an outside chance of finally filling the hot seat.

There would certainly be no dull moments with the extravagant Portuguese at the helm, while his pragmatic approach could suit international tournament football.