Southgate’s exit leaves England with difficult successor search

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Pochettino lasted just one turbulent season at Chelsea before leaving by mutual consent in May.

His fine work at Tottenham still makes him an attractive candidate, as does his strong relationship with England captain Harry Kane, who rose to prominence during their time together in north London.

But Pochettino hails from Argentina – another of England’s long-standing rivals – and his failure to lead Paris Saint-Germain to the Champions League crown despite their wealth of talent is a blemish on his CV.

Howe’s success in leading Newcastle from relegation strugglers to Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years led some to rank him as an England boss in waiting.

Yet the 46-year-old fared less well last term, when Newcastle finished a disappointing seventh in the Premier League, and was also in charge when Bournemouth were relegated from the top flight in 2020.

Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales also insisted on Tuesday he would fight to keep Howe if the FA expressed interest in him.

Adding to the pressure on the FA is England’s potentially treacherous qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

Relegated to Nations League B, England cannot be top-seeded in the World Cup qualifying stage as that privilege goes to the 12 best-performing sides in League A.

Spain, Germany, France or Portugal could all lie in wait for England in groups where only the winner is certain to reach the World Cup.

Bullingham wants to make an appointment “as soon as possible” but conceded on Tuesday there was “an interim solution in place if needed”.

Former Everton midfielder Lee Carsley, England’s current under-21 coach, is understood to be the interim solution.

The 50-year-old has little managerial experience but could be considered on a permanent basis after Southgate made a successful transition from the England under-21 role.

The Three Lions’ limp performances en route to the Euro 2024 final and their cautious approach in that match ensured Southgate will be remembered as England’s nearly man.

Despite having a hugely talented squad, he failed to end England’s wait for a first major trophy in 58 years, losing successive Euro finals and in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

Whoever is given the job of replacing Southgate will be expected to deliver where he ultimately came up short.