Rio Ferdinand names two icons who could replace Gareth Southgate as England manager

Rio Ferdinand has identified two legendary managers he thinks could replace Gareth Southgate as England manager.

In June the Three Lions will travel to Germany to take part in Euro 2024, and it could well be their last major tournament with Southgate at the helm.

The coach's contract is set to expire in December this year, and after he came close to quitting after the last World Cup, there is a feeling he will bow out regardless of what happens in Germany.

Southgate has been in charge of the national team since 2016, and although he hasn't managed to end England's long wait to win a major tournament, the way he has managed to make England likeable again will make him a tough act to follow.

There aren't any obvious candidates to succeed Southgate if he does indeed decide to leave this year, which is why former England defender Ferdinand believes the FA must go with one of the big name coaches available for work.

Ferdinand has identified Jurgen Klopp - who last week announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season - and Jose Mourinho - recently sacked by Roma - as the best options.

"If I'm England, I'm talking to [Jurgen] Klopp now," Ferdinand said on Vibe with Five. "If I'm Klopp, I'm looking at the England squad and thinking I can win the World Cup. England or Barcelona [Klopp should go to].

Klopp has won almost every trophy available since taking the Liverpool job (Getty)

"The FA have to go and get Klopp or Mourinho. If I'm the FA, I'm going to them two guys and whoever wants it, you go in the ring, have a fight about it and come back to us.

"Gareth Southgate is lucky, lucky man. He's earned the right but it's a lucky place to be in this era, this generation with what he's got at his disposal. He's got Jude Bellingham who's carrying the Bernabeu on his back at the moment. [Phil] Foden. [Bukayo] Saka. [Harry] Kane. [John] Stones. [Declan] Rice.

Klopp has been linked with the Germany job post-Euro 2024, but Ferdinand isn't convinced the 56-year-old would fancy it.

"Have they [Germany] got a good enough batch at the moment? Musiala is the stand out. There has to been enough in there to think 'I've got a chance with this lot'."

Topics: Rio Ferdinand, Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho, England, Gareth Southgate, Liverpool

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton