Gareth Southgate’s future as England manager hangs in the balance and the favourite to replace him in the role, Graham Potter, is ‘interested’ in taking the job.
Southgate took charge of his fourth major tournament as England manager this summer, leading the Three Lions to the final of Euro 2024 and falling short against Spain.
A 2-1 defeat in Berlin meant it is back-to-back defeats in the final of the European Championship after the loss to Italy on penalties in 2021.
It has been a successful spell in charge of the team for Southgate, without silverware but twice narrowly missing out on a trophy, but it may be at an end.
The Football Association want him to stay on till the World Cup in 2026 but he is taking some time to decide on his future and he may opt to step away from the job.
Favourite to replace him, if he does leave this summer, is former Chelsea and Brighton boss Potter who has been out of work since leaving Stamford Bridge in April last year.
The 49-year-old’s stint in charge of the Blues was pretty disastrous as he won just 12 of his 31 games in charge before being dismissed, but his stock remains high enough to be considered a leading contender for the England job.
Potter has turned down approaches for club jobs since leaving Chelsea but The Telegraph reports he would be interested in taking over from Southgate if the opportunity arises.
Other candidates for the job include Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, current England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel.
The likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are all considered outside chances by the bookmakers, but not completely out of the question.
Asked about his future after the defeat to Spain, Southgate told ITV: ‘I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that. I’ve got to talk to the right people. It’s just not for now.’
Southgate’s contract runs until December, so there appears no immediate time pressure on his decision-making.
England next play on 7 September when they take on Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.
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