In The Mixer: Experts pick their next England boss

In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with seven experts in football betting and get their opinion on the hot topic of the week.

The World Cup is fast approaching and the general consensus is this will be Gareth Southgate’s last tournament in charge of England. The 52-year-old has been in charge since 2016 and has guided the Three Lions to a World Cup semi-final and the Euro 2020 final during his reign, but recent performances have left a lot to be desired.

With Southgate’s position under scrutiny before a ball has even been kicked in Qatar we’ve assembled our experts for their thoughts on who may be the next man to take charge of the national side – and it is fair to say no agreement was reached on who the best/most likely candidate is.

Find out how far we think the Three Lions will go over on our World Cup 2022 predictions page.

Rodgers may be up for new challenge

Mark Langdon

Head of sports content at Spotlight Sports Group

I can see England being on the hunt for a new manager in January with Gareth Southgate looking fatigued in the hotseat and that might rule out current favourites Graham Potter and Eddie Howe, who would be unlikely to leave their respective roles at Chelsea and Newcastle for any potential Three Lions vacancy.

If Southgate sticks around then maybe one of the golden generation might be ready for it, however, Brendan Rodgers looks on borrowed time at Leicester and his attacking style of play might be just what the doctor ordered if England bore supporters in Qatar.

Northern Irishman Rodgers, a juicy 16-1, has made no secret of his desire to work in international football and, while his stock has fallen recently, it is to be remembered he has done smart work at a number of clubs, including winning the FA Cup with the Foxes.

Henry Hardwicke

Sports journalist at Racing Post

It’s becoming increasingly difficult for England to tempt managers away from their Premier League jobs and for that reason I would be looking beyond the likes of Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Steve Cooper.

I’m not sure the FA have the funds or the desire to appoint a big-name manager from abroad as they have done in the past with the likes of Fabio Capello. It’s possible that someone like Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard will become available as the season progresses and that’s also very much the case for Brendan Rodgers. At the prices I’d take a punt on the Northern Irishman.

Support for Lions legends

Aaron Ashley

Sports journalist at Racing Post

As expected with many, I’m not that optimistic about England’s chances at the World Cup this winter so Gareth Southgate is certainly on borrowed time with the Three Lions.

His negative approach worked in the short-term at the European Championships but those tactics won’t help develop the talented, young group of players we have coming through the ranks and, in truth, we should be regularly challenging for silverware with this current crop anyways.

England needs a manager that wants to play free-flowing people, allowing them to get the best out of their attacking starlets. It’s unlikely Eddie Howe or Graham Potter are going to leave their positions and at 18-1 and 20-1 I’d split stakes on Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, with neither completely guaranteed to see out the season in the Premier League.

It is still early days in their managerial careers but it could be quite an attractive proposition for both, especially given their history for the country which would surely help them motivate personnel.

Warren Ashurst

Sports journalist at ICS

I think Eddie Howe – at around 6/1 – looks the most likely replacement for Gareth Southgate, but the timing of the FA’s next appointment could be key.

Should Newcastle finish mid-table this season, it’s possible their owners will think that the summer is the time to bring in a new, big-name manager to spend their millions and persuade top stars to move to Tyneside.

Howe’s reward then for keeping the Magpies in the Premier League would be the offer of the England job if, as many feel he will, Southgate steps down.

Frank Lampard also appeals at a bigger price of 20/1, as the former midfielder would find it hard to turn down the chance to manage his country. Keeping Everton up this season will certainly see his stock rise.

Pochettino has some appeal

Aaron Rogan

Sports journalist at FST

The FA are in a difficult spot, with international football no longer prestigious enough to tempt Graham Potter or Eddie Howe away from good Premier League jobs. However, that leaves them with the managers of the current bottom two as their next best options – and they aren’t even English.

Lee Carsley hasn’t been with the Under 21s long enough for a promotion, while Golden Generation favourites Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney would be getting the gig on name alone.

That leaves two foreign options – Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel – left for the FA to consider. While Tuchel’s recent club success should see him get a big job, Pochettino is currently being linked with West Ham and Aston Villa. The England job might be the best option for the former Tottenham boss, while he’s the only decent, available option for the FA.

Ian Wilkerson

Sports journalist at Racing Post

Both Graham Potter and Eddie Howe look snugly positioned in good jobs that no manager would probably sacrifice to have a pop at the England gig and I still think going after Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard would be a leap of faith. But then, maybe they would be able to work together!

Seriously though, if the folks at Soho Square don’t have a bee in their bonnet about the boss having to be an Englishman, then I think Mauricio Pochettino would be the perfect fit.

Firstly, he’s available. Secondly, he will want to prove himself after his brief spell at Paris Saint-Germain. And thirdly he can bring out the best in England’s array of talented and exciting players that Southgate seems to be a little reluctant about unleashing.

A respected coach who was popular with his players at Spurs and who will not have to deal with the egos he had at PSG. If he had been born in Birmingham, he’d be the only viable candidate.

Dark horse Dyche gets a mention

James Mason

Sports journalist at ICS

Graham Potter and Eddie Howe would be the two main contenders to become the next England head coach but the duo are unlikely to leave their domestic jobs, especially given the fact they haven’t been in their roles for that long.

I think the Three Lions would need to look for somebody not in work and that could bring the name of former Burnley boss Sean Dyche into the equation, as he has been without a club since April this year.

Dyche may not play the most attractive style of football but he showed during his time with the Clarets that he can get results and that is what it comes down to on the international stage.

Priced at around 25/1 to get the country’s top job, the Englishman would certainly sharpen up the defence and he could be an astute appointment.