Howe in pole position to replace Southgate as England manager

18 Jul 2024 17:30 BST
4 min read

Eddie Howe, Newcastle, England, Transfers Podcast — © IMAGO

Eddie Howe is regarded as the strong favourite to land the England manager job following the departure of Gareth Southgate after Euro 2024, The Transfers Podcast can reveal.

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The English Football Association are expected to take up to three months to decide on a new manager after Southgate stood down from the role having led the Three Lions to the European Championship final.

It is believed that a decision over taking the job will ultimately be Howe's to make, amid big changes at current club Newcastle United.

Shareholders Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi announced their exit from the club last week having been significant backers of Howe during their time in charge.

He has fared well at St. James' Park, elevating Newcastle from relegation contenders upon his arrival to the Champions League group stages, while also reaching a League Cup Final.

With Staveley and Ghoroussi now out of the picture, the situation at Newcastle could become uncertain with Paul Mitchell installed as sporting director.

Graham Potter has also been mentioned as a potential contender for the England job, and comes with the advantage of currently being out of work.

FA consider Mourinho and Guardiola among foreign options

The FA have not ruled out hiring a foreign manager.

The Transfers Podcast understands that Mauricio Pochettino is interested in taking the role, having worked alongside current FA technical director John McDermott at Tottenham.

The Argentine enjoys important personal relationships within the organisation and remains a free agent having reached a mutual termination agreement with Chelsea at the end of the season.

Jose Mourinho was another name proposed to the FA ahead of Euro 2024 but his appointment is now considered unlikely.

Conversation were held with the FA about Mourinho's interest in the job, but he has since taken over at Fenerbahce.

A salary of €21 million net over the first two years of his contract in Istanbul is well beyond Southgate's pay, while Fener would be entitled to significant compensation.

Mourinho came close to taking the England job after leaving Chelsea for the first time back in 2007.

© IMAGO - Jose Mourinho was one of the options considered to replace Gareth Southgate.

The FA could even opt to wait and see if Pep Guardiola comes available - or else makes his interest known – when his Manchester City contract concludes next summer.

In that case they could seek to appoint an interim candidate - such as under-21 manager Lee Carsley - in the meantime.

There remains the possibility of promoting Carsley into the senior job on a full-time basis.