Liverpool star names preferred pick for next England manager

Liverpool star Harvey Elliott believes England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley is the right man to succeed Gareth Southgate and lead the Three Lions to success.

Southgate stepped down as England boss just days after the nation's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, meaning a new face will lead the country at the 2026 World Cup and subsequent tournaments.

While the list of potential successors remains long and has included superstar names like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, there is a core list of candidates which includes the likes of Graham Potter, Eddie Howe and Carsley himself.

For Liverpool midfielder Elliott, the "unbelievable" Carsley would be the best manager to take the reigns.

"Lee is an unbelievable manager and an unbelievable guy," Elliott said while on pre-season tour with the Reds. "He is ready to step up.

"There have been a lot of big clubs sniffing around him and that is a credit to himself and his coaching. Whenever I step on the pitch for England I just have freedom to enjoy my football. I feel like he is ready. They are conversations for them [at the FA]."

Elliot has made 20 appearances for England's Under-21s under Carsley, scoring eight goals since he first debuted for the team in March 2022.

Carsley, who has been in charge of the Under-21 side since 2021, rejected the opportunity to manage Ireland in March, while a number of clubs have also been interested in his skillset. If Carsley was to make the step up into senior management, he would follow the footsteps of his predecessor Southgate, who was appointed England manager after Sam Allardyce's short tenure.

Southgate spent three years with the Under-21 side, from 2013 to 2016, helping to forge a pathway into the senior team for many young England stars.

The FA have confirmed that they will not rush to replace Southgate, but will look for a candidate that has 'significant experience in English football'.