SOCCER
Gareth Southgate leaves: Who will be the next England manager?
The English head coach led the team to two Euros finals but has decided to step down after Sunday’s defeat to Spain.
England head coach Gareth Southgate has decided to step down, ending his eight-year spell in charge of the national team.
Southgate has been credited with transforming the fortunes of the underperforming team and has led them to an unparalleled period of tournament performances, notably leading the team to two European Championship finals. However England were once again beaten Euros finalists against Spain on Sunday and Southgate has decided to leave the role.
He took over the team shortly after a chastening defeat to Iceland in 2016 European Championships and took the team to major tournament finals for the first time 1966.
Who will replace Gareth Southgate for England?
Leading the English national team is a famously difficult role, sometimes referred to as ‘The Impossible Job’. In recent decades globally renowned coaches likes Sir Bobby Robson, Sven Goran-Eriksson and Fabio Capello have all felt the pressure of leading the team in major tournaments and England’s trophy drought will reach 60 years by the time the 2026 World Cup rolls around.
Nevertheless, there will be no shortage of willing candidates to replace Southgate. While the FA have not made any decisions about Southgate’s replacement, former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter is the favourite with bookmakers to take over the role. He has a good reputation for developing young players and shares Southgate’s focus on the mental side of soccer.
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino, another former Chelsea manager, have also been forwarded as possible candidates. Pochettino, an Argentinian, would likely be a controversial choose for a role that is more typically reserved for English coaches.