Eddie Howe the leading candidate to replace Gareth Southgate

England national team manager Gareth Southgate sits at a crucial juncture of his career after losing the 2024 European Championship final to Spain.

The FA wants the 53-year-old to stay on and lead the Three Lions to the 2026 World Cup, but the manager might choose another path after eight years of carrying the burden of the nation’s hopes.

According to The Telegraph, if Southgate eventually decides to leave, there is no shortage of suitors lining up to take the England job, with Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe the top candidate to succeed him.

Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley are also in the frame for the job.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott will lead the process to find Southgate’s replacement.

Howe has been on England’s radar after his fantastic work at AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle.

The 46-year-old brought the Cherries up from the Championship and kept them in the top flight for four seasons before they fell back down to the second division.

Howe joined Newcastle, where he led the Magpies to the Champions League for the first time in over 20 years.

However, it is not an open and shut case. Firstly, the Newcastle manager is heading an important project in Tyneside, and England would need to convince him to drop it for the national team.

Besides, there is also the issue of his wages. Southgate is reportedly on around £5 million a year, and Howe would need to take a wage reduction if he is to replace him.

Former Chelsea managers Potter, Tuchel, and Pochettino are all exciting prospects.

Potter is particularly keen on the job after rejecting interest from several clubs, and his experience managing abroad will likely give him an edge.

Meanwhile, Pochettino has been touted for the England gig since his days at Tottenham Hotspur, leading internationals like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Kyle Walker. Like Potter, he is not currently working and can take up the job immediately.

The volatile Tuchel recently left Bayern Munich and can take the job. The German has shown interest in managing England before.

Carsley’s stocks are on the rise following his success at the European Under-21 Championship in 2023. Interestingly, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are outside contenders for the England job, although they aren’t favourites.

England holds its breath to see what Southgate decides and who the FA chooses to replace him.