Four managers lined up for England post if Gareth Southgate walks after World Cup exit

Four managers are in the running for the England head coach role if Gareth Southgate walks from his current post, according to stunning reports.

Southgate has divided some fans since he succeeded Sam Allardyce as England manager, despite the Three Lions’ success at major international tournaments.

The 52-year-old England manager led the Three Lions to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup before suffering defeat to Croatia in extra-time.

England then went on to reach the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium, but Southgate’s men suffered heartbreak again in a penalty shootout defeat to Italy.

Southgate’s hopes of leading England to their first major honours since 1966 were thwarted again after France knocked the Three Lions out of the World Cup in Qatar.

The England boss will see his current deal expire after Euro 2024, but Southgate hasn’t ruled out leaving his position sooner after his side’s quarter-final defeat.

Speaking on his future, Southgate told ITV: “I think after every tournament we have sat and reviewed and reflected.

“It needs a bit of time to make sure everybody makes the right decisions.”

According to reports, the English FA is happy with Southgate’s work as England manager and want him to stick with the national team until the end of Euro 2024.

It is believed that contingencies are being made in case Southgate quits, with FA technical director John McDermott to be tasked with finding a potential successor.

Alamy

The Daily Telegraph reports that one of the names on the FA’s shortlist is Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked by Chelsea back in September.

According to German newspaper Bild, ex-Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel is tipped as the favourite to succeed Southgate.

Another name lined up to succeed Southgate is ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who is a free agent after he was axed by Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers is also in contention for the role, despite coming under fire after the Foxes’ poor run of form at the start of the season.

England assistant manager Steve Holland, who works under Southgate, is reportedly the final name on the FA’s four-man shortlist.

Manchester United legend Gary Neville praised Southgate for his tenure as England boss and wants him to remain in charge for Euro 2024.

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“I would love Gareth to stay on for another two years and I would love him to stay on beyond that, whether it’s as the coach or in another role the FA design,” he told ITV.

“In the last 10 years we’ve won youth tournaments, we’ve won a women’s tournament, we’ve got to a men’s final, we’re playing really well and have got good technical players.

“England is in a pretty good place. We have gone out of tournaments in the past 25 years in disgrace but we’ve got a great future and he is a big part of that.”