Sven-Goran Eriksson names his top two choices to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager and they both go against FA 'rules'

Sven-Goran Eriksson has named the top two contenders to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager.

Southgate resigned as England manager on Tuesday just two days after their Euro 2024 final heartbreak to Spain.

Several managers have since been linked with the England post, including Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou who responded to reports linking him with the international post.

If the Australian gaffer was appointed as England manager, then he'd be the first foreign boss since Fabio Capello, who was appointed in 2008.

Capello was just the second foreign manager to take charge of the Three Lions following Eriksson, who became the first foreign manager of England.

And the Swede has backed Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola to replace Southgate, which would go against the FA 'rules' of wanting an Englishman, with Lee Carsley, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter thought to be in the running.

"If he is English, or foreign, I don’t think it should mean much," said Eriksson. "You just have to find a top manager, or a young one with a good future.

"If you want to aim high, the obvious two contenders are Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola. They know English football, the players and culture. If there was even the slightest suggestion they were interested in the job."

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola on the touchline for a Premier League game. Image: Getty

The 76-year-old added: "England should go for it. We are talking about two of the best managers in the world. Klopp is taking a break and I’m not sure whether stepping down from Manchester City is in Pep’s mind. But you have to aim high, and appointing either of those two would be a huge statement for England and their aims for the future."

Klopp and Guardiola, however, are no strangers to the English game, having managed in the Premier League. The German boss enjoyed a legendary spell as Liverpool manager while the Spaniard is still in charge of Man City, where he has guided his side to four league titles in a row.

But England are believed to be looking for a home-grown manager, with FA chief executive Mark Bullingham eyeing under-21 boss Carsley, who has been in the national team's youth set up since 2018.

If he was appointed, he would mirror the appointment of Southgate, who was promoted from the under-21s to the senior team.