- Thomas Tuchel was appointed as the new England manager earlier this week
- The FA claimed that ‘approximately ten coaches’ had been interviewed for the role
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Graham Potter has joined Eddie Howe in an extensive list of managers who have not been interviewed by the Football Association for the job of England head coach.
On Wednesday, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham claimed the organization – along with technical director John McDermott – interviewed ‘around ten coaches’, including ‘some English candidates’, before appointing Thomas Tuchel.
However, it is understood that at least seven of the most suitable homegrown coaches have not been interviewed by the FA.
On Friday afternoon, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti also denied that he had been approached for the job.
Potter was not interviewed for the role, according to well-placed sources.
German coach Thomas Tuchel was appointed as England’s new boss earlier this week
FA CEO Mark Bullingham (second from left) said ‘about ten coaches’ had been interviewed
But Newcastle’s Eddie Howe was one of seven England coaches not interviewed by the FA
Mail Sport revealed on Thursday that Howe, arguably the most suitable English candidate, had not been interviewed, the Newcastle boss confirmed on Friday.
Howe was asked if he was among the interlocutors and said, “I wasn’t. There was no contact with the FA. England must do what is right for them.
‘Only they will know the processes they have gone through. For me it’s about Newcastle. I remain 100 percent focused on my work, if you lose focus the work becomes impossible.’
Sean Dyche, Frank Lampard, Gary O’Neil, Steve Cooper and Russell Martin are among the British coaches who were also not interviewed.
Real Madrid boss Ancelotti was also asked if he was a candidate and replied: ‘No. I haven’t heard anything from the England national team at all.
‘In my opinion they have chosen a very good coach. He is tactically very strong and he has proven that throughout his career. I wish him the best.’
Mail Sport reported earlier this week that Pep Guardiola was being asked about the role in the final season.
Graham Potter joined Howe on an extensive list of English managers who were not interviewed
Frank Lampard was also one of the other English coaches not spoken to by the FA
Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he had not been approached
Manchester City boss Guardiola avoided the issue during his speech on Friday.
While some of the aforementioned managers or representatives would likely have been initially asked about the previous vacancy in England, Mail Sport’s information regarding those who were not interviewed raises questions about the FA’s recruitment process.
Everton boss Dyche said on Thursday: ‘They mentioned about ten, I don’t know what it is approximately.
‘It’s either 10 or it’s not. I was quite intrigued by that. I imagine out of ten there have been English or British coaches. Don’t know. I certainly wasn’t (interviewed) – not that I asked for it.”