Calls for Gareth Southgate to be sacked as England manager have grown after the Three Lions' awful Nations League showing at the end of the 2021/22 season.  

Realistically, that is not going to happen before the 2022 World Cup. But should the Qatar competition end in disaster for England at the end of this year, the calls for Southgate to go will be so loud that even the FA won't be able to ignore them.

So, with the possibility of Southgate leaving by Christmas, the odds in the next England manager market make interesting reading. The favourite with the bookmakers is Brighton boss Graham Potter, who Betfair make 3/1, just ahead of Newcastle's Eddie Howe at 5/1. Though, those placing an online bet on either of those managers, will bear in mind that the odds will significantly change once the season starts if Brighton or Newcastle are struggling.  

Next in the betting is Wayne Rooney. The former England striker has just left Derby County. Therefore, as a free agent, Rooney wouldn't cost the FA any money in compensation, and there would be no protracted negotiations with a club over his release. 

The usual suspects, Frank Lampard, Mauricio Pochettino, and Steven Gerrard, are next in the betting at 10/1, while Manchester City's Pep Guardiola is 12/1. The chances of Guardiola ending up managing England are highly unlikely. The Spaniard isn't the sort of character to leave a club high and dry, so there is little to zero chance of him forcing a move.  

The fact that five of the first six in the betting are English managers shows how the English game is continuing to thrive. A few short years back, any next England manager betting market would have been dominated with the names of managers from overseas.

Similar to the rise in quality of English footballers, the reputation of English coaches is also on an upward curve. If Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard continue to impress in their roles at Everton and Aston Villa respectively, their names will also come to the fore.

It could well be Eddie Howe that finds himself standing next to the chair when the music stops, though. With plenty of money at his disposal, the Newcastle boss is in the perfect place to enhance his reputation. And that's a reputation that also builds upon an impressive rise to the Premier League with Bournemouth.

 

The run that Newcastle went on after Christmas in the Premier League in the 2021/22 season was outstanding, too. If Howe can keep Newcastle playing at that level, he will be pushing for the top six. Newcastle will also be craving a bigger name in the short to medium term. So a departure for Howe to the England job could well end up being a scenario that suits all parties. 

For now, Gareth Southgate remains in charge. The England head coach is on record stating he won't outstay his welcome as national boss. Even if England go well in Qatar, the former Villa player and Middlesbrough boss might decide his stock is as high as it's going to get, and look for a top job in club management. 


 


 

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