England next manager: Four candidates dismissed as Gareth Southgate replacement hunt continues
England next manager: The FA are currently looking for a replacement for Gareth Southgate
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Former England star Danny Mills can't see Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Zinedine Zidane or Carlo Ancelotti taking charge of the Three Lions following the recent departure of Gareth Southgate.
Southgate opted to resign last week, less than 48 hours after his side had been beaten by Spain in the final of the European Championships.
Since then, a number of names have been linked with his old position.
Klopp is available, with the German recently leaving Liverpool after a successful eight-and-a-half years stint in charge of the Merseyside giants.
England next manager: The FA are currently looking for a replacement for Gareth Southgate
PA
Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City next summer and, therefore, has emerged as a potential target as well.
But Mills, speaking exclusively to GB News via Gameyard, can't see either taking charge - while also expressing a belief Zidane and Ancelotti aren't in the running, either.
"It’s a really difficult one as you have to be realistic," he said. "I don’t see a candidate who is available and a standout candidate.
"I see Guardiola and Klopp mentioned. I don’t see them taking the job. Neither to I see Zidane or Ancelotti taking the job."
Mills also feels there is a lack of England coaches with the right credentials to replace Southgate.
He continued: "Domestically, you have Graham Potter who did OK at Brighton, but couldn’t make the step up to Chelsea count.
"Eddie Howe has done OK, but he hasn’t managed a big group of talented players like England have. He has done OK at Newcastle.
"Lee Carsley, he’s not England, but can he make the step up? I am not sure.
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"[Mauricio] Pochettino has been mentioned, but an Argentinian coaching England? I am not sure how that plays out.
"The problem you have is the next manager to be successful for England will have to win the World Cup and Euros as Southgate has two back-to-back finals for England, a penalty shootout away from winning within these two.
"So, actually, it’s a bit of a poisoned chalice."
Southgate did well during his time as England manager, with the Three Lions considerably better than they were prior to his appointment in 2016.
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England next manager: Gareth Southgate quit as boss following his side's defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024
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But Mills thinks he'll be remembered as the man who couldn't quite get them over the line, rather than the figure who made the national side great again.
"Unfortunately, the man who couldn’t quite get England over the line," he said when asked about Southgate's legacy.
"However, Southgate has done an outstanding job as England manager, he deserves massive credit for the job he has done and can go with his head held high.
"Looking back, The FA made a great appointment with Southgate and the way he managed and the results in major competitions have been the best since 1966.
England next manager: Danny Mills can't see Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp replacing Gareth Southgate
PA
"Two Euro Finals, semi-final of a World Cup and quarter-final of World Cup are fantastic.
"You have to acknowledge him the way he talks to the media and the way the players talk about him. His man management skills are second to none, all players respect him and Southgate had a united squad on each occasion he managed.
"We were a penalty kick away from the Euros last time and this time, we weren’t far away at all as should Marc Guehi’s header have gone in, the match goes to extra time and you never know what happens.
"He will be hard to replace for sure. The standards he has set are so high, so it will be difficult for a new man coming in, albeit, they have some outstanding youngsters to work with."
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