"The England manager should be English" - Michael Owen names his favorites to replace Gareth Southgate as Three Lions boss
Michael Owen wants Eddie Howe or Graham Potter to take over from Gareth Southgate as England boss. The legendary former Three Lions striker was adamant that an English coach should be handed the job.
The Liverpool icon backed Howe but has doubts he'll leave Newcastle United, given he's already in a 'top job.' He also admires Potter, who has been out of management and turning down job offers since his Chelsea sacking in April 2023. Owen wrote on X:
"I would love Eddie Howe as England manager but he’s already in a top job. I’d be right behind The FA appointing Graham Potter too. Whatever we do, I’m of the opinion that the England manager should be English."
Howe is a leading candidate to replace Gareth Southgate, although Newcastle wants to keep hold of the English tactician. He's impressed with the Magpies, bringing UEFA Champions League football to St James' Park last season. The former Bournemouth boss has overseen 62 wins in 125 games.
Potter is a more attainable option but comes off a disappointing reign in charge of Chelsea. That was not wholly his fault, as the Blues were in a period of transition with new owners wanting an extensive rebuild.
Potter was a hit at his previous club, Brighton & Hove Albion, and worked with former England technical director Dan Ashworth at the Amex. He oversaw 43 wins in 134 games in charge of the Seagulls.
Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager
Jurgen Klopp is one foreign manager linked with replacing Gareth Southgate as England boss. The German is out of management after leaving Liverpool this summer, ending a nine-year reign at Anfield.
Klopp is hugely popular in English football after a stellar spell with the Merseysiders. He oversaw 304 wins in 489 games, guiding the Reds to the Premier League title, the UEFA Champions League trophy, and six other major trophies.
However, any Three Lions fan dreaming of Klopp replacing Gareth Southgate shouldn't get too carried away. He cited 'fatigue' as the key reason he ended his reign with Liverpool and is taking a break.
The Athletic's David Ornstein claims Klopp is unlikely to cut that break short. He alluded to the German turning down an approach from the USA (via Back Pages Today on Sky Sports):
"First and foremost with Jurgen Klopp, he’s already rebuffed an approach from the USA... His representatives have reiterated his desire, which he stated on leaving Liverpool, to take a break. So, I don’t think England will stand a great chance unless he’s going to break that plan in the near future."
Klopp's fellow countryman Thomas Tuchel is another contender for the job. The former Chelsea boss is also taking a break after leaving Bayern Munich but is interested in the Three Lions job.