Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England manager will be remembered fondly for the progress he made with the national team. He guided England to their first major final in 55 years at Euro 2020 and reached the Euro 2024 final with a side that was one of the pre-tournament sports betting favourites.
However, the disappointment of losing 2-1 to Spain in Berlin, paired with the failure to get past France in the 2022 World Cup, ultimately led to his departure. While Southgate restored pride and unity to the England setup, his departure signals the need for a fresh approach as England look ahead to the 2026 World Cup.
Despite Southgate’s successes, his tenure was often criticised for a lack of creativity and tactical boldness. His cautious approach, particularly in key moments of major tournaments, frustrated fans who believed England’s talented squad could have offered more attacking football.
As the Three Lions embark on their Nations League campaign, as well as the road to World Cup 2026 qualification, the hope is that his successor will inject more flair and expression into the team. Supporters will be eager for a manager who can bring excitement and tactical innovation when it matters most.
The search for Southgate’s permanent replacement is crucial, and whoever takes the job will be tasked with turning a highly skilled group of players into world champions. Here are three candidates who could take on the role and lead England to glory.
Lee Carsley
Current caretaker manager Lee Carsley is favourite for the permanent job. After leading England to an impressive 2-0 wins over Ireland and Finland in the Nations League, Carsley demonstrated a willingness to make bold choices.
He deployed players in their best positions and wasn’t afraid to drop senior figures like Kyle Walker, who hadn’t featured much for Manchester City, as well as Kieran Tripper.
Carsley’s background as a coach in the England youth setup has made him a popular figure within the FA, and his experience working with the next generation of talent puts him in a strong position to guide the national team forward.
Eddie Howe
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is another name that has been linked with the England job. Having guided the Magpies to Champions League football for the first time in two decades, Howe has proven himself capable of managing at the highest level.
His man-management skills and ability to succeed in big games—such as Newcastle’s stunning victory over Paris Saint-Germain in Europe—make him an intriguing option. Howe’s tactical approach is more progressive than Southgate’s, and his experience with building a team from the ground up could make him the ideal candidate to take England into the World Cup qualifiers with confidence.
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola is certainly an outside choice, but he would undoubtedly be a fan favourite as the next England boss.
The Manchester City manager has yet to announce when he’ll step down from club football, but if he were to consider international management, England could be the perfect opportunity, having been in the Premier League since 2016 and winning six league titles.
Guardiola has managed at elite club level with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City, and his track record of success speaks for itself, but it will be interesting to see how he can cope without a wealth of resources like he gets at the Etihad.
He has been instrumental in the development of key English players like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, making him a compelling option.
Guardiola would bring a wealth of experience and tactical knowledge to the Three Lions, and it would be fascinating to see if he could become the first foreign manager to lead England to a major international trophy after years of near misses.