Who Should Succeed Gareth Southgate as England Manager?

For those of you who are still processing Gareth Southgate's decision to step down as England manager, it’s time to look ahead. Speculation is already rife about who will take up the mantle, and today, we’re diving into the bookies' top candidates to see who might lead England to glory. Let’s analyze their styles, potential impact, and my personal pick for the job.

Eddie Howe: The Winning Tactician

Eddie Howe tops the odds charts as the next England manager. The current Newcastle boss has previously expressed his ambition to manage the national team. After nearly three successful years at Newcastle, is it time for Howe to step down and aim for international glory?

Howe is synonymous with winning. His teams play on the front foot, combining aggressive tactics with smart possession play. In an interview with ‘The Mag,’ Howe emphasized, “I don’t want to go into any game and not look like we are trying to win and not prepare to win.”

Howe's preferred formation is a conventional 4-3-3. He uses one fullback (Burn) to sit back during attacks, allowing the other fullback (Trippier) to charge down the flank. In the midfield, he opts for compactness with three central midfielders and two inverted wingers who aid in buildup play and exploit gaps in transitions—a tactic Anthony Gordon executed brilliantly last season.

Defensively, Howe employs a high press. His front three press narrowly, forcing opponents to play wide, where his team locks them in and cuts off passing lanes. The wingers press the fullbacks while the central midfielders shift to cover spare men.

Newcastle’s xG of 76 last season—only bettered by Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool—proves Howe's offensive prowess. However, defensive struggles were a concern. Overall, Howe's emphasis on winning and attacking football would be a refreshing change from Southgate’s more cautious approach.

Graham Potter: The Pragmatic Innovator

Graham Potter, despite his recent absence from management, remains a compelling candidate. His last stint at Chelsea was underwhelming, with a 38% win rate, but his tenure at Brighton showcased his managerial acumen.

Potter is a pragmatic coach who typically sets up in a 3-4-3 formation. Instead of wingers, he employs two number 10s behind the striker, with wingbacks providing width. He also adapts in-game, often switching to a system with one 10 behind two strikers.

Potter's forwards frequently drift wide to support the wingbacks, creating space for central midfielders and the opposite wingback. Nearly all players in Potter’s system are encouraged to attack, including the wide center-backs.

His most effective tactic, the 3-4-2-1, creates a midfield overload. The two central midfielders and two 10s form a box, with the number 9 dropping in to add a fifth player. Wingbacks then exploit spaces behind the defense.

Potter's versatility and tactical unpredictability would be assets in tournament football. However, his recent struggles at Chelsea raise concerns. If he can replicate his Brighton form, Potter could be a savvy appointment.

Lee Carsley: The Internal Successor

In 2016, after Sam Allardyce's resignation, the England U21 manager stepped up as interim manager—a pattern that could repeat with Lee Carsley. Since joining England in 2020, Carsley has progressed from managing the U20s to leading the U21s to European Championship glory in 2023.

Carsley’s tactics are surprising and innovative. He sets his team up in a 4-4-2 but employs modern, fluid football. An inverted right back supports the double pivot in midfield, while the left winger tucks inside. His right winger stays wide, and the striker role is often filled by a versatile forward like Anthony Gordon.

Gordon, playing as the number 9, drifts wide, creating space for midfielders and the left winger. Carsley’s system emphasizes creating triangles out wide, enabling effective link-ups and switching play.

Carsley adapts his tactics to his players, ensuring the best setup based on available talent. His ability to play fluid, versatile football makes him an intriguing candidate for the England job.

My Pick: Lee Carsley

If it were up to me (which, unfortunately, it isn’t), I would promote from within. We need a manager who is tactically astute and familiar with the players and FA setup. Southgate successfully integrated young players he previously worked with in the U21s, and I believe Carsley can do the same.

Under Carsley, we can expect to see more of talents like Anthony Gordon and Curtis Jones, and new faces like Levi Colwill, Morgan Gibbs-White, and even Angel Gomes. For continuity, tactical flexibility, and player familiarity, Carsley would be my choice to lead England forward.