It’s nearly 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 a 2-0 win over Ireland on his debut as interim manager of the England senior side, Carsley is now odds-on in most places, with the latest shift making 1/1 (or ‘evens’) his best price in the Next England manager odds market. The nature of the performance was very encouraging, in that his men successfully went for the jugular early on and then controlled proceedings to see out the job without issues.
Greater tests lie ahead, but after some unimpressive performances under Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024, some passages of play were a distinct breath of fresh air. The build up to the second goal was particularly pleasing to the eye, with a sharp pass-and-move sequence cutting through the Irish defence before a low finish from Jack Grealish.
Carsley memorably led the Young Lions to European Championship success last summer, and he is reportedly well thought of by the FA. 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.
Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe remains one of the favourites to replace Southgate as England’s next permanent manager behind 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 best-price of 5/1 in comparison to Carsley’s 1/1.
Graham Potter
Initially the bookmakers' favourite to replace Southgate, Graham Potter has drifted out to 7/1 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.
Pep Guardiola
The Man City chief has entered the last year of his contract, and he has hinted that this could be his last season in the Etihad Stadium hot seat. Not only has Guardiola overseen unparalleled success with City, but he has completely transformed English football as a whole with his ‘total football’ philosophy. In addition, current Manchester City academy coach Richard Dunne has stated his belief that Guardiola would be able to manage England effectively.
Pep would naturally be a hugely well-received selection among the England support, and the Three Lions would surely be primed for success with the Spanish supremo at the wheel. Late last month, he even had a fleeting period as the outright favourite to beat Carsley to the England job, being priced at just 2/1 with one bookmaker.
However, normal service appears to have been resumed, with Leicester’s successful appeal against charges of breaching PSR setting a potential precedent for Man City to successfully defend against their more serious charges, as they stand trial for 115 alleged breaches of financial rules.
Previously, City’s potential incoming points deduction – one perhaps severe enough even to ensure relegation – fuelled much of the speculation linking Guardiola to the England job last month.
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 
