Jamie Carragher believes there is only ‘one standout’ contender to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager, and it isn’t Jurgen Klopp.
Southgate stated on Tuesday that he would stand down as Three Lions manager following the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, capping a remarkable eight-year and 102-match tenure.
The battle to replace him has begun, with several high-profile names in the running, including Klopp, who is out of job after leaving Liverpool this summer.
During his nearly nine years at Anfield, the German accomplished great things by winning the Premier League and Champions League and playing exciting, aggressive football.
However, Carragher, a veteran of Liverpool, does not think he would be a good match for the position. He thinks the FA should name an English manager and expresses worry that success in club football does not translate to international play.
‘I cannot get my head around how so many supporters and pundits continue to fail to recognise the massive differences between club football and international football,’ the former England defender wrote in The Telegraph.
‘It is like we are living in some kind of fantasy world in which international managers get months or years to work with the exact profile of players they choose, developing patterns of play on a daily basis so it becomes natural whenever a tournament comes along.
‘Not even Klopp or [Pep] Guardiola could guarantee the same style and results managing an international team as they had with their clubs. Have we learnt nothing from the Fabio Capello experiment?
‘I am against the idea of England appointing an overseas coach. This is not because I am anti-foreign or believe overseas coaches are a bad influence.
‘My fundamental belief that international football should be our best against “their” best. We are an elite football nation and the national team should not look elsewhere.
Sarina Wiegman, the manager of the England women, is different since she was recruited based on her track record as an international champion. Due to their affiliation with clubs, Guardiola, Klopp, and Mauricio Pochettino are being touted.
Carragher thinks Eddie Howe should be the FA’s first and only pick instead, since sources indicate the Newcastle manager is at the top of the shortlist.
“There is one exceptional contender to succeed Gareth Southgate.” Eddie Howe must be the one. He is by much the front-runner in my opinion.
‘Howe has the pedigree as a club manager. He did fantastically well at Bournemouth and has done a great job at St. James’ Park.
‘His sides play front-foot, attacking football. Like Southgate, he would be a safe pair of hands dealing with the media – a great ambassador for the country. Young players will respond to Howe as he has proved a good man-manager.
Next England manager odds:
Graham Potter: 2/1
Lee Carsley: 10/3
Eddie Howe: 7/2
Jurgen Klopp: 17/2
Mauricio Pochettino: 9/1
Thomas Tuchel: 18/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair
‘Howe has said he sees the England job as his ultimate ambition so the emotional pull is there. He is also intelligent enough to know the uniqueness of the challenge.
“Whether Howe thinks it’s the right time to leave Newcastle United for his career is the Football Association’s problem.”
If the offer materializes, he will have a lot on his mind. ‘I would be staggered if it does not. None of the other leading contenders comes so close to being the right fit.
‘Every box is ticked, with the biggest issue being whether an aspiring coach with ambitions to win trophies at Newcastle and challenge himself in the Champions League wants to walk away from a brilliant job and passionate fanbase.’