England interim head coach Lee Carsley emerges as a strong contender to succeed Gareth Southgate as the FA begin process of appointing new permanent boss – with Eddie Howe and Graham Potter also in the running
- Gareth Southgate stepped down as England manager after the 2024 European Championship final in July
- Lee Carsley has won his first two games as interim head coach of the Three Lions
- FOOTBALL AZ: Listen Now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch them on YouTube. New episodes every Wednesday
The English Football Association has begun discussing the vacancy for the permanent head coach of England with external candidates.
Current interim manager Lee Carsley is emerging as a strong candidate to replace Gareth Southgate following his promotion from the Under-21s, having made an impressive start to his temporary spell in charge.
However, Mail Sport has learned that the FA, as part of the process to appoint a new full-time chief executive, has begun sounding out candidates outside the governing body.
The English Football Association has declined to comment on the process or the identities of the candidates involved in the search for a successor to Southgate. However, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe is seen as one of the leading candidates.
Graham Potter is another England coach who is said to have been considered by the umbrella organisation following Southgate’s departure.
The FA has begun the process of appointing former national coach Gareth Southgate’s successor
Lee Carsley is seen as a strong contender to take on the role after two games as caretaker manager
Eddie Howe (left) is seen as one of the leading candidates for the England job, while Graham Potter (right) is also said to be in the running.
Foreign candidates who would be considered include Jurgen Klopp, who is not currently believed to be interested in the role, Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel.
Mauricio Pochettino also had the support of the English Football Association, but he has taken over the reins of the United States national team.
However, Carsley has boosted his claims to become Southgate’s permanent replacement with two promising victories as England started their Nations League campaign on a 100 per cent pace with wins over Ireland and Finland.
And there is a view that if he wins all six of his first games as national coach, he will be the main contender to take over.
Meanwhile, Southgate has revealed he may return to work outside of football as he continues his eight-year break after Euro 2024.
“I’ve been given a lot of opportunities and I’m open to what comes next,” he told Sky News.
Jurgen Klopp is a foreign candidate of interest, but he is not believed to be interested in the role
Thomas Tuchel (left) and Pep Guardiola (right) may be difficult to convince to take on the role
England have won both games under Carsley without conceding a goal.
‘It could be in football, it could be outside of football. I’m just going to take some time, refresh myself, recharge and then move on.
‘I think people now realize that I need to get my energy back.’