Next England manager: FA advertises men’s manager vacancy as search for Gareth Southgate’s successor continues

The FA has formally advertised the England men’s manager vacancy on its website as the search for Gareth Southgate’s successor continues.

English football’s governing body says it has “already identified a number of candidates” after Southgate announced his resignation from the role on July 16.

The first bullet point in the job description specifies the need to “win a major tournament”. England’s men’s team have not won a major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

It also says the successful candidate will “have significant experience of English football, with a strong track record delivering results in the Premier League and/or leading international competitions”.

Other job requirements include being “experienced in successfully identifying, managing and developing English qualified players” and being “highly resilient and comfortable in a very high-profile role with intense public scrutiny”.

The FA has set a deadline of August 2 for applications. England’s next game is against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League on September 7.

The FA’s England men’s manager job spec in full

“We are currently overseeing a highly targeted process to appoint the next Head Coach of the England Men’s Senior Team.

“Our succession planning process has already identified a number of candidates; in addition to this we are committed to open recruitment processes in the football industry and are interested in hearing from individuals who meet the following criteria:

The role…

• Lead and develop the England senior men’s team to win a major tournament and be consistently ranked as one of the top teams in the world.
• Provide inspiring leadership to a world class, multi-disciplinary technical team based at St. George’s Park.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clubs who employ English qualified players.

The successful candidate…

• Will hold a UEFA Pro License.
• Will have significant experience of English football, with a strong track record delivering results in the Premier League and/or leading international competitions.
• Will be an exceptional leader who understands and will enjoy the international football environment.
• Will be experienced in successfully identifying, managing and developing English qualified players.
• Will be highly resilient and comfortable in a very high-profile role with intense public scrutiny.
• Will have a track record of creating a high performing, positive team culture and environment.
• Will have strong personal values and integrity and understand and embrace the role that the England Men’s Senior Team Head Coach has inspiring the nation.

Who is in the frame?

Sky Sports News revealed the next England manager will be the best person for the job – regardless of their nationality.

However, it is thought that FA chief executive Mark Bullingham would prefer to hire an English manager.

On the eve of Euro 2024, where England lost in the final to Spain, Bullingham said on the record when asked directly if the next England manager would be English: “Any federation in the world would want to have a pool of top home-grown talent playing and managing at any time.”

FA technical director John McDermott, who reports in to Bullingham, is known to have a good relationship with Mauricio Pochettino after the two men worked together closely at Tottenham.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and Graham Potter also have admirers among senior FA staff.

Howe signed a new multi-year contract extension last season – which was only made public by Newcastle CEO Darren Eales on Tuesday – meaning the FA would have to pay significant compensation to prise him away from St James’ Park.

Sky Sports News understands that Newcastle are confident the 46-year-old will remain in charge.

Another name in the mix is current England U21 manager Lee Carsley – with the FA keen to include in its recruitment process, managers who have come through the ranks at St George’s Park.

England are due to start their Nations League campaign in six weeks against the Republic of Ireland and they would like to have made an appointment by then.

Should that not happen, then an interim appointment will be made – with that increasingly looking like Carsley.

Bullingham said on Tuesday: “We have an interim solution in place if it is needed. We know there will be inevitable speculation, but we won’t be commenting further on our process until we appoint.”

Howe, Potter, Poch: Who has said what?

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe: “It’s been a strange one for me because I’ve been absolutely cut off from it. Fortunately I’m out here [in Germany]. So it’s only through a mobile phone or someone telling me something that you hear about it.

“My commitment to Newcastle is unwavering and it has been since I came to the football club. As long as I have certain things for me – as in I’m happy, I’m allowed to work in the way I need to work in order to get the best out of me and I feel supported – then that will never change.”

Graham Potter, currently a free agent: “I spoke to a few clubs but it wasn’t the right thing. It was important I was patient and waited for the right opportunity and took the time with the family to reflect and think about what I wanted to do. Now I’m in that good place where I’m happy to be ready and looking forward to the next challenge.

“I’m proud of the job Gareth Southgate did. As an Englishman in football, I don’t think there’s anybody who has more respect than he has, how he conducted himself, him and his staff, qualifying for tournaments, going deep into tournaments, getting the country behind the team, he’s done an amazing job.”

Speaking at the Qatar World Cup in 2022, before taking the Chelsea job, Mauricio Pochettino: “I am open [to a position as an international head coach], why not? Of course we are still young, full of energy, day by day I like the adrenalin of trying to evolve [at a club]. Maybe the national team is a different job.

“But yes, why not, maybe not the next job but in the future. It’s not exclusive that I would only want [my native] Argentina, if there is another country, why not?”

England’s upcoming fixtures (all Nations League)

• September 7: vs Republic of Ireland (a)
• September 10: vs Finland (h)
• October 10: vs Greece (h)
• October 13: vs Finland (a)
• November 14: vs Greece (a)
• November 17: vs Republic of Ireland (h)