Former England star reveals what he's 'heard' about Gareth Southgate's potential successor after Euro 2024

Former England star Chris Waddle has revealed what he has heard about the identity of Gareth Southgate's successor when he decides to leave his role.

Southgate has led England to a second consecutive European Championship final, where they will take on Spain on Sunday.

There have been question marks over the 53-year-old's future in charge of the national team irrespective of the result, with the former defender having been in charge for nearly eight years.

Southgate has refused to confirm his intentions ahead of the final, telling reporters on Friday: "Emotionally, it would be impossible for me to make a logical decision at the moment on any of that because my sole focus for two years has been winning this tournament.

"The last five or six weeks have been an absolute rollercoaster, so I don't actually know where I am with anything other than being very focused on preparing the team for this game."

Should Southgate decide to end his near eight-year reign in charge of England after Berlin, there are an array of available head coaches that could replace him.

Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel - who were both linked with the role in the event of Southgate leaving after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - are both currently out of work, as is the ex-Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is another possible appointment, although it may be difficult for the FA to convince him to leave a top Premier League side.

The FA could instead go down the route of installing the current England U21 manager, as they did when Southgate replaced Sam Allardyce in 2016. Former Everton and Birmingham midfielder Lee Carsley is in charge of the U21s.

A name that came out of left-field last September was Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, with the Daily Mail claiming that he was the FA's 'dream appointment' and that they would approach the Spaniard when Southgate decides to leave.

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Since then, Guardiola is reportedly expected to tell City chiefs that the 2024/25 campaign will be his last in charge of the reigning Premier League winners.

And speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Spain v England odds, Waddle - who collected 63 caps for the Three Lions and was involved in three major tournaments between 1986 and 1990 - said he had heard information about Guardiola's intentions that may excite England fans.

He said: "There is a lot of talk about Guardiola leaving after this year. I have heard that he wants an international job at a side with potential.

"There's your job; if I was the FA, I would be making sure to speak to him right now. I'd be on the phone to his representatives, asking if he would like to be the next England manager after Gareth Southgate.

"You're not going to get a better manager than him. If not him, then you start to look at the likes of Eddie Howe or Graham Potter.

"There isn't a lot of international experience, and England need a manager who is going to come in and tell the FA to let them manage their own way. Someone like Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp would definitely get the best out of England.

"I like Gareth and I think he has done a great job, but if he is going to leave then you have to go for the best, and not think about what could be. Go for someone who is proven."