Southgate's exit leaves England with difficult successor search

LONDON: Gareth Southgate's exit as England manager in the aftermath of their painful Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain has left the Football Association (FA) facing a difficult task to find a suitable successor.

Southgate admitted it was "time for change and for a new chapter" for the national team when he resigned on Tuesday (Jul 16) after eight years in charge.

Selecting the right man to author the next pages of England's torturous bid to win a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup will not be easy for the FA's headhunters.

The governing body had been keen for Southgate to stay on beyond his existing contract, which was due to expire in December.

But the 53-year-old's decision to quit has put in motion a tricky succession search that will ideally be resolved by the time England travel to the Republic of Ireland for a Nations League tie on Sep 7.

When FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and his advisors ponder the potential candidates, they will find a list filled with question marks about their ability to handle the unique pressures of a role Graham Taylor once dubbed "the impossible job" during his time in the England hot-seat.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and a trio of former Chelsea managers in Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel are said to be the leading contenders.

Potter was installed as the early bookmakers' favourite, but the 49-year-old's reputation was tarnished by a dismal spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

After earning plaudits for his impressive work with Brighton, Potter was axed by Chelsea after less than seven months as struggled to handle the squad's big personalities.

Potter had been brought in to replace Tuchel, who was sacked despite winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.

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