England's two main candidates to replace Gareth Southgate revealed after boss announces exit
Gareth Southgate: England boss has announced he's leaving his role as manager after nearly eight years in the dugout
PA
Eddie Howe and Graham Potter are the two leading contenders to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager, according to reports.
The Three Lions boss confirmed on Tuesday he'd be walking away after nearly eight years in the role, less than 48 hours on from his side's devastating defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
Southgate feels it is the right time to step down, having been in charge of the national side since replacing Sam Allardyce in 2016.
He leaves big shoes to fill, with England making two European Championship finals under his guidance - while also making it to the semi-finals and quarter-finals of World Cups in 2018 and 2022 respectively.
Gareth Southgate: England boss has announced he's leaving his role as manager after nearly eight years in the dugout
PA
According to the Evening Standard, Howe and Potter sit at the top of the FA's shortlist of potential replacements.
Howe is admired due to his work at Bournemouth and Newcastle, with the 46-year-old winning plaudits for enforcing attacking, enterprising football.
It is unclear at this stage if he'd accept a job in international management.
But England are likely to try and bring him to Wembley, with ongoing change behind the scenes at Newcastle helping their cause.
Potter is out of work following his departure from Chelsea last year.
He was linked with jobs at Ajax and Manchester United earlier this summer but both teams, in the end, went down different avenues instead.
Potter would be an easier appointment than Howe given he's not contracted to any club team.
Like Howe, though, it is not currently known if he'd want to venture into international management before hitting his 50s.
England could yet be tempted to go down the foreign route, however.
Jurgen Klopp is on the market, with the German leaving Liverpool earlier this year.
Klopp announced that he intends to take a sabbatical. However, England could yet try anyway and see whether they're able to convince him into changing his mind.
On Tuesday, before news of Southgate's departure broke, reports suggested Thomas Tuchel was interested in taking over.
Tuchel is on the market after leaving Bayern Munich and, having previously managed Harry Kane, could hold the key to getting the best from the 30-year-old.
Mauricio Pochettino is another name in the frame as well. He impressed with his work at Chelsea last season but left the Blues by mutual consent earlier this summer after several disagreements with club chiefs.
FA chief Mark Bullingham, meanwhile, has hailed Southgate and everything he's achieved during his time as England boss.
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Gareth Southgate: Newcastle boss Eddie Howe could take the England job amid chaos behind the scenes at St James' Park
PA
“On behalf of English football, I would like to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate and to [assistant coach] Steve Holland for everything they have achieved," he said.
“Over the last eight years, they have transformed the England men’s team, delivering unforgettable memories for everyone who loves the Three Lions.
"We look back at Gareth’s tenure with huge pride – his contribution to the English game, including a significant role in player development, and in culture transformation has been unique.
“However, it is his record of winning tournament games which is most extraordinary. In the 25 tournaments post-1966 before Gareth took charge, we had won seven knockout games. In his four tournaments we have won nine.
So, in his eight years, he has won more games that really matter than in the previous 50 years.
Gareth Southgate: Graham Potter is another candidate who could take over as England manager in the wake of today's bombshell news
PA
“And of course, we have had strong tournament performances throughout their tenure.
"We came so close to winning the Euros in London and securing the first trophy for our men’s team for over 50 years – and came so close again in Berlin on Sunday.
“Before Gareth, our longest time ranked in the top five in the world was seven months. In his tenure we have been ranked there for six years.
"Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success.
"He is held in the highest regard by the players, the backroom team, by everyone at the FA and across the world of football.
"We are very proud of everything Gareth and Steve achieved for England, and will be forever grateful to them.”
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