While international tournaments bring about plenty of dreams and optimism, the reality is that one of two scenarios will befall the England team this summer: the Three Lions will triumph over all and Gareth Southgate’s men will march into the World Cup qualifiers as European champions, or supporters will be begging for a changing of the guard after falling short on the biggest of stages once again.

Of course, there have been instances where victorious managers have left their respective national posts. Marcelo Lippi did so with Italy in 2006, while Luiz Felipe Scolari – once an England manager candidate himself – departed weeks after delivering the World Cup to Brazil.

With the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 campaign now well underway – and amid a barrage of criticism aimed at Southgate over his approach during a successful, yet mundane group stage – there will inevitably be talk over who could succeed him in the hotseat. Every game at this tournament could yet be his last, particularly with England’s somewhat favourable draw ramping up the pressure to succeed in Germany.

So who could replace Southgate? With few obvious options to choose from, here’s a look at who is being backed to succeed the 53-year-old and take England into the 2026 World Cup…

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1

Mauricio Pochettino

Free agent (last job: Chelsea)

Free from the clutches of the Stamford Bridge owners who ousted him despite his relative successes in west London last term, Mauricio Pochettino is once again a free man.

His knowledge of the English game and desire to promote youngsters at Club level will be sure to work in his favour if he was to take on the job, though he has notably not won a major trophy as a manager outside of Paris Saint-Germain. Unfortunately, there’d be no unlimited transfer market fund available to him here.

What is interesting is how his odds have shortened in recent weeks – he was 9/1 at the start of Euro 2024. How much England’s uninspiring start at the tournament has factored into this is unknown, but if there’s one bookies’ favourite right now, it’s Poch.

One word of caution: favourites have been turned down before, most recently when Roy Hodgson pipped Harry Redknapp to the top job back in 2012.

2

Graham Potter

Free agent (last job: Chelsea)

Graham Potter seems to be linked with every job going at the minute, with the ex-Chelsea boss having a range of potential destinations as he gears up for his next move.

However, it would be a remarkable jump for him to go from excelling at just underneath the top level of the Premier League to being given the national job. That said, he has proved himself to be a shrewd tactician, so perhaps the international setup would suit him. Cynics could also argue he has turned down numerous job offers in order to bide his time ahead of a potential opening at England.

3

Eddie Howe

Newcastle United

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has long been high up the list of potential managers to succeed Southgate. His rise up the English game is one to be admired, and the fact he is now flourishing at the top level suggests he has a style that is adaptable to his squad’s needs, but the lack of international experience and domestic silverware may count against him.

It may also be worth noting that his odds have drifted in recent weeks, though whether this is down to punters’ behaviour or a genuine reluctance from the FA to approach him remains to be seen.

4

Jurgen Klopp

Free agent (last job: Liverpool)

This one could take some doing. Jurgen Klopp seemed to indicate that he would be taking some time out following his emotional exit from Liverpool at the end of last season.

However, after claiming that he was unable to handle the intense, day-to-day nature of Club management when announcing his Anfield departure, perhaps the international calendar will appeal to him more. With Julian Nagelsmann set to continue in charge of his native Germany beyond Euro 2024, it could be a viable option for England, however unlikely it may seem.

5

Lee Carsley

England U21

One of the more predictable appointments would be a relative outsider in England U21 boss Lee Carsley. Appointing the former Everton midfielder would be akin to Southgate’s own path into the job (without an undercover journalist bringing the previous manager down, of course).

Southgate’s highlight as U21 boss was winning the Toulon Tournament in 2016; four months later, he replaced Sam Allardyce in the senior team.

Carsley recently led the Young Lions to U21 Euros glory last summer, with James Trafford’s heroics securing a faultless campaign as they went the entire tournament without conceding. With this kind of pedigree and how well it seems to have worked for Southgate, perhaps Carsley is further up the wishlist than some may think.

6

Pep Guardiola

Manchester City

Upon their latest Premier League triumph, questions started to be asked about Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City, where the Spaniard is set to enter a ninth season in what is the final year of his current deal.

Guardiola has become well accustomed to English Football culture (albeit, he’s only recently learned what ‘squeaky bum time’ is) and it’s not clear what his next move would be. Spain may well have a similar vacancy if their own Euros campaign doesn’t go to plan, but having tried to persuade Jose Mourinho to take the job in the past, Guardiola could well be high on the FA’s list.

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7

Steven Gerrard

Al-Ettifaq

Steven Gerrard is no doubt revered by many in the game, though his standing in managerial circles is a little baffling at present.

His tenure at Rangers was satisfactory to say the least, as he ended their long wait for a Scottish Premiership title and denied rivals Celtic a tenth in a row in the process.

However, his shortcomings in Europe, as well as during subsequent spells at Aston Villa and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq, are hardly worthy of him becoming the next Three Lions boss. Then again, they did give Big Sam the job…

8

Gary O’Neil

Wolves

Gary O’Neil has shown his competence as a top-level manager after being thrust into Premier League management at Bournemouth, where he kept the newly promoted Cherries up before being brutally shown the door.

His first year at Wolves was similarly impressive, particularly with the financial constraints at Molineux. Jumping up to the England job so soon would represent a meteoric rise; it would surely come too soon for him if the FA ends up making a decision this summer.

9

Michael Carrick

Middlesbrough

A former England midfielder with experience at international tournaments, there are few on this list with closer ties to the England team than Michael Carrick. His own venture into management sees him at Middlesbrough, where he aims to secure Premier League promotion next term – unless the FA was to pick up the phone.

Much like O’Neil, despite his name being in the running, this job surely comes far too soon among a crowded field of more suitable candidates. International management very much seems to be a specialist role, and plucking a young manager from the second tier in the hope of succeeding at the next World Cup seems too improbable.

10

Thomas Tuchel

Free agent (last job: Bayern Munich)

Thomas Tuchel has been linked with a return to England even before departing his most recent role at Bayern Munich, with the German being mentioned as a potential recruit for Manchester United and former Club Chelsea, though both clubs will not be hiring him anytime soon.

With these openings off the table for the moment, the England job could yet be another role that piques his interest. But as with many others on this list, his lack of international pedigree will count against him, even if he has excelled on the continental stage at Club level.