The leading contenders to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager
Gareth Southgate looks increasingly likely to leave his post as England manager after Euro 2024
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Prior to the European Championships starting, Gareth Southgate dropped a big bombshell on his England future.
The 53-year-old, who is so often a man who likes to keep his cards close to his chest, sensationally hinted he would leave his role as manager of the national team if they don't win Euro 2024 this summer.
After two games, it's hard to see England going all the way. A shaky win over Serbia was followed by a 1-1 draw with Denmark and people, understandably, aren't happy.
To make clear, England won't be doing an Ivory Coast. There's no chance of Southgate going anywhere while there's still a chance of ending 58 years of hurt.
Gareth Southgate looks increasingly likely to leave his post as England manager after Euro 2024
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But with England starting to look stale, it's hard to see Southgate continuing in his role.
He is a man under big pressure right now, with many queuing up to criticise the former Middlesbrough boss.
Pundits such as Gary Lineker, Ian Wright and Roy Keane have all voiced their disapproval over how England are playing at this tournament, with Southgate suffering a backlash as a result.
If the Three Lions do indeed come up short, with such a brilliant set of players at their disposal, then Southgate will be off.
GB News now takes a look at the four main candidates to take over.
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Eddie Howe
If Southgate does depart, there will be many fans who would love to see Eddie Howe given the job.
The Newcastle boss is admired by the Football Association, with his work at St James' Park and Bournemouth in recent years winning plaudits.
Howe likes his teams to play with the handbrake off. Despite being restricted with what he can spend over the course of his career, he's still worked wonders.
The Newcastle boss is widely expected to be approached by the FA if Southgate does indeed pack his bags and end up walking off into the sunset.
Whether he'd be willing to venture into international management at this stage of his career, however, remains to be seen.
Graham Potter
Graham Potter and Eddie Howe would be in the frame to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager
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Graham Potter has been widely tipped to return to management this summer, having been out of work since leaving Chelsea last April.
Curiously, however, the former Brighton and Swansea boss has opted to stay on his hiatus from the sport.
Earlier this summer, Potter was linked with jobs at Ajax, Brighton and Manchester United. Fast-forward to now, though, and nothing with all three clubs has materialised.
Potter would play attacking football, something England fans crave given just how defensive Southgate can be.
But there would be concerns over whether Potter could handle a job of such magnitude given how he was eaten alive by Chelsea players prior to his sacking.
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Mauricio Pochettino
England have hired two foreign managers twice in the past.
Sven Goran-Eriksson was the first, with the Swede taking over in 2001 and spending five years in the role before leaving after the 2006 World Cup, having failed to get the best from the Three Lions' so-called 'golden generation'.
And while Fabio Capello was expected to bring trophies, the Italian never got the best from his players after taking over in 2008.
Going down the foreign route would be divisive but Mauricio Pochettino is certainly a man who would be considered.
Mauricio Pochettino is another man who would be in contention to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager
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The Argentine was onto something good at Chelsea before recently leaving by mutual consent. While the Blues have since hired Enzo Maresca, supporters and players both wanted Pochettino to stay.
He won Ligue 1 at Paris Saint-Germain and got the best from his players at Tottenham and Southampton, despite a limited budget.
Pochettino is believed to be open to the England job and he'd be another man in the frame to take over should Southgate depart.
Lee Carsley
One thing the FA does like to do is promote from within.
That's how Southgate got the job in the first place, with the 53-year-old previously improving England players at youth level.
Lee Carsley wouldn't be an obvious pick given he's unproven at the highest level.
However, he can't be ruled out after steering England's Under-21 players to European Championships glory last summer.
For now, Southgate stays. However, with each passing day, a parting of ways once the summer is over looks increasingly likely.
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