Revealed: What England and Gareth Southgate plan to do next after the Three Lions boss announced he was quitting without telling his players first

Gareth Southgate has ended his tenure as England manager, sparking a frantic global scramble to replace him.

Southgate is said to have informed FA chief executive Mark Bullingham of his decision to leave on Monday evening, following discussions with his family.

England’s players left their team hotel in Berlin on Monday morning, unaware that their manager would be stepping down after eight years in the job. Southgate kept his decision secret until the news broke on Tuesday morning.

Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Lee Carsley are among the early contenders to replace the 53-year-old, who confirmed his expected departure with a heartfelt statement.

Mail Sport understands that all four candidates would be interested in discussing the role if approached, with the FA said to prefer to appoint a home-grown coach, which would put Howe, Potter and Carsley in a good position in the process.

But Argentine coach Pochettino, who has a relationship with England’s technical director John McDermott, is one candidate attracting interest from senior figures at the English Football Association.

Thomas Tuchel is also said to be interested in replacing Southgate, although the German is also high on the list of possible replacements for Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag if their season does not go to plan.

One foreign manager who will not be replacing Southgate is former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Klopp remains committed to his plan to take an extended break after leaving Anfield last season.

The FA are unlikely to pay their next manager significantly more than the £4.5m salary they paid Southgate, which could be another factor in the search for a new boss. Pochettino earned £10m at Chelsea last season, while Howe, who earns up to £6m, would likely have to take a pay cut to take the England job.

It remains to be seen whether Howe will actively pursue the role, but the 46-year-old is open to discussions about the role if the FA approach Newcastle. The Magpies are said to be seeking significant compensation from the FA if Howe were to replace Southgate.

Sources suggested on Tuesday that the governing body would be reluctant to enter into difficult negotiations with Newcastle over releasing Howe’s contract, while the added cost is another factor to consider.

There is a feeling that the honour of coaching England would be more important than the issues surrounding a potential pay cut if Howe is the candidate the English Football Association wants to pursue.

Howe previously told The Overlap podcast: ‘I love England and everything about England. I love Gareth. I’ve never really thought about international football myself. Who knows what’s going to happen in the future?’

Howe, intriguingly, also has a relationship with McDermott, who will lead the search for Southgate’s successor. Newcastle bosses have vowed to fight to keep Howe if England decide he is their No.1 candidate.

Managing director Darren Eales has confirmed that Howe signed a new contract last summer. Asked if the club would ‘fight to keep Howe’ if England approached him, Eales replied: ‘Yes, absolutely. He is exactly the right man for the project we are working on and that is why we are committed to a long-term deal with him. This is the coach we want to lead the club for the future. We love him.’

However, it will be interesting to see whether the recent appointment of Paul Mitchell as Newcastle’s sporting director changes the dynamic of how Howe can operate at St James’ Park and whether that becomes a factor when England make their move. Newcastle manager Graeme Jones, who worked in England’s set-up at Euro 2020, is thought to be a contender to join Howe at the FA.

Pochettino, Potter and Carsley would likely be more straightforward appointments. Pochettino and Potter are both available following their departures from Chelsea, while Carsley is already employed by the FA in his role as England Under-21 manager.

The FA will attempt to appoint an interim head coach if they do not have a full-time appointment in September, as they have fixtures against Ireland and Finland. Mail Sport understands that Carsley is a strong candidate to fill the interim role.

The English Football Association believes the search for a new manager is going well, as many within the organisation expected Southgate to leave after Euro 2024 regardless of the outcome of the tournament.

With that in mind, McDermott is well on the way to identifying candidates, although women’s coach Sarina Wiegman dismissed speculation about a potential role for the men’s position on Tuesday night after a 0-0 draw in Sweden that saw England qualify for next year’s European Championship.

Wiegman, who led the Lionesses to victory at the 2022 European Championship and reached the World Cup final last summer, is under contract with the women’s team until 2027.

“Honestly, I think it’s really inappropriate to have that conversation, I’m with the Lionesses, I’m very happy,” Wiegman said. “I’m disappointed that he’s leaving. I really like Gareth as a person, but also as a coach.

‘I find it really inspiring what he has done so well for the England team for so long.’

Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland is also leaving, while the futures of fellow coaches Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Martyn Margetson are unclear.

The departed England manager is expected to take a break from football before making a decision on his next role.

A number of management agencies are expected to approach Southgate, who recently severed ties with former agent Terry Byrne, with a view to representing the 53-year-old for his next job. However, Manchester United are unlikely to hire Southgate even if the club were to part ways with Ten Hag, with Tuchel expected to be first in line if the Dutchman were to lose his job.

Confirming his decision to leave, Southgate wrote: ‘As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for and manage England. It has meant everything to me and I have given it my all. But it is time for a change and a new chapter.

‘The squad we have taken to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them.

‘A special thanks goes to the backroom staff who have given the players and me unwavering support over the last eight years. Their hard work and dedication have inspired me every day, I am so grateful.

‘We have the best fans in the world and their support means the world to me. I am an England fan and always will be. I look forward to watching and celebrating the players creating more special memories and uniting and inspiring the nation in the way we know they can.

‘Thank you, England, for everything.’

Bullingham added: ‘I’d like to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland for everything they have achieved.

‘They transformed the England men’s team and created unforgettable memories. We look back on Gareth’s time with great pride – his contribution to the English game, in developing players and transforming the culture, has been unique. His record of winning tournaments is extraordinary.

‘Gareth has made the impossible possible and laid a solid foundation for future success.’