It’s been two months since Gareth Southgate called time on his eight-year spell in charge of the England national team.
The 53-year-old resigned from his position shortly after the Three Lions’ heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
Southgate helped transform England’s fortunes on the game's biggest stages, steering his side to successive European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final.
The FA have big shoes to fill, and here we will examine the bookies’ favourites to replace the now-former England boss.
Lee Carsley
After steering England to back-to-back wins in the Nations League, Lee Carsley’s odds continue to shorten in the next permanent England manager market. The former Birmingham boss now is the overwhelming 1/5 favourite to land the Three Lions job on a full-time basis.
The England Under 21 manager is believed to be well thought of by the FA and wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland will have strengthened his chances of succeeding Gareth Southgate.
Southgate was promoted from the same position that Carsley currently occupies so the 50-year old could well find himself on a similar career path.
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has drifted out to 10/1 second favourite on Bet 365 to become the next permanent England manager. The Man City manager has entered the last year of his contract and he has hinted that this could be his last season in the Etihad hotseat. Not only has Guardiola overseen unparalleled success with City, but he has completely transformed English football as a whole with his total football philosophy.
Pep would be the universal selection among the England support to lead the country but the current odds suggest the Three Lions hot seat will not be the Spaniard's next stop.
Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe remains one of the favourites to replace Southgate as England’s next permanent manager behind Guardiola and Carsley. He is well-regarded after piloting Newcastle from the relegation zone to the top four in the Premier League, not to mention the miracle he pulled off when taking Bournemouth from League Two to the top flight in the space of just six years.
His Newcastle side have started the new Premier League season strongly as well, collecting seven points from a possible nine. Yet, with Howe’s contract with the Magpies set to run until the summer of 2027, a costly compensation obstacle would have to be overcome, giving logic to his current price now being as big as 12/1.
Graham Potter
Initially the bookmakers' favourite to replace Southgate, Graham Potter has drifted out to 16/1 to land the national job. The 49-year-old has been out of work since April 2023, following an ill-fated seven-month spell in charge of Chelsea. Prior to his brief spell at Stamford Bridge, Potter enjoyed plenty of success at Brighton, and he also did stellar work as boss of both Swansea and Swedish outfit Ostersunds.
Southgate was criticised throughout his tenure for his risk-averse tactics, and Potter would certainly inject a more proactive approach into an England team laced with world-class talent.
Freelance Sports Writer and Betting Analyst with over five years experience. I’ve written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. With a strong passion for the fascinating world of Scottish football, I also regularly feature in Nutmeg, the much-loved Scottish football magazine. Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. Feel free to follow me on X @SlipsTips
In December 2020 we sadly 
