England hero Terry Butcher names dream Gareth Southgate replacement after exit hint dropped at Euro 2024
England boss Gareth Southgate has hinted he could leave once Euro 2024 is out of the way
REUTERS
England hero Terry Butcher would love Jurgen Klopp to replace Gareth Southgate if the 53-year-old leaves after the European Championships.
Southgate has worked wonders with the national team ever since replacing Sam Allardyce back in 2016.
England have, under his watch, made the knockout stages of all three tournaments - and were a penalty shootout away from winning the last European Championships, which took place in 2021.
Speaking recently, Southgate hinted he was likely to leave his post as manager if the Three Lions are unable to go all the way.
England boss Gareth Southgate has hinted he could leave once Euro 2024 is out of the way
REUTERS
Behind the scenes at the Football Association, they're planning to offer the England boss a new contract.
There is a growing sense, however, that this tournament will be Southgate's last.
Klopp is currently spending some time with his family, having left Liverpool after eight-and-a-half glittering years at Anfield.
For Butcher, he's the dream pick to take over.
However, if the next manager has to be English, then the 65-year-old would like to see Newcastle's Eddie Howe given the job.
READ MORE:Gary Lineker calls for 'ban' as England beat Serbia in Euro 2024 opener
Speaking exclusively to GB News, via Free Bets, he said: "Jurgen Klopp [would be his No 1 pick].
"If the manager has to be English though, there’s not that many to pick from but Eddie Howe."
Howe has impressed during his time at Newcastle.
He guided the Toon to Champions League football in 2023, with only Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City finishing higher.
Newcastle ultimately missed out on Europe completely last term after United recently won the FA Cup.
England icon Terry Butcher believes the Three Lions can win Euro 2024 this summer
GETTY
But whether Howe would be tempted to swap a club job for a international gig remains to be seen.
On Monday, England were nervy during a narrow 1-0 win over Serbia at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.
Yet Butcher is convinced England can go all the way this summer.
"I think England can finish first, I honestly do because they have a good squad and good depth in the squad too," he said.
"A lot of the players have played in 2018 and 2021 and the players know what they have do to at this level."
He continued: "I think England have progressed quite well; France are probably England’s biggest threat, but you’ve still got Germany and Spain.
"I’ve always fancied Spain looking at the way they play, the way they’re together as a band of brothers, I think they’re particularly strong as well with [Lamine] Yamal on the wing.
"They have Rodri too, so Spain for me are the biggest threat."
Butcher was part of the England side that lost to Argentina at the 1986 World Cup due to Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' moment.
It's something that still haunts him to this day.
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England icon Terry Butcher would love Jurgen Klopp to replace Gareth Southgate after Euro 2024
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"Yes, it still hurts, and I think if we’d have beaten Germany in the semis, played a weakened Argentina, we probably would have won the World Cup with the squad we had," he said.
"With Sir Bobby Robson in charge as well, we could have gone on to do it.
"It’s all ifs, buts and maybes though. Some of those decisions go for you, some against, it’s all fine margins."
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