Revealed: What England and Gareth Southgate plan to do next after the Three Lions boss announced he was quitting without telling his players first

Gareth Southgate has called time on his reign as England manager and sparked a frantic global scramble to replace him. 

Southgate is understood to have informed FA chief executive Mark Bullingham of his decision to leave on Monday night following talks with his family. 

England’s players left their team hotel in Berlin on Monday morning unaware of their manager’s pending decision to leave the job after eight years in charge as Southgate kept his decision private ahead of the news breaking on Tuesday morning. 

Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Lee Carsley are among the early contenders to replace the 53-year-old, who confirmed his expected departure with a heartfelt statement. 

All four candidates, Mail Sport understands, would be interested in discussing the role if approached. The FA would prefer to appoint a homegrown coach, which would leave Howe, Potter and Carsley well positioned in the process. 

But Argentinian coach Pochettino, who has a relationship with England’s technical director John McDermott, is a candidate interesting senior figures at the FA.

Likewise, Thomas Tuchel would be interested in replacing Southgate — although the German is also high on the list of potential replacements for Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag if their season doesn’t go according to plan.

One overseas manager who will not consider replacing Southgate is former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who will stick to his plan of taking a prolonged break from the game after leaving Anfield last season.

The FA are unlikely to pay their next manager significantly more than the £4.5million salary they paid Southgate, which could yet emerge as a factor in the search for a new boss. Pochettino earned £10m at Chelsea last season, while Howe, who earns up to £6m, would likely have to accept a wage reduction to take the England job.

It remains to be seen whether Howe will actively pursue the post, but the 46-year-old is open to discussing the role if the FA approach Newcastle. The Magpies would demand significant compensation from the FA if Howe was to replace Southgate.

Sources were indicating on Tuesday that the governing body would be reluctant to enter arduous negotiations with Newcastle over releasing Howe from his contract, while the added expense is another factor to consider.

There is a feeling that the honour of managing England would supersede issues over a possible pay reduction if it emerges Howe is the candidate the FA want to pursue.

Howe previously told The Overlap podcast: ‘I love England and everything about England. I love Gareth. I’ve never really thought about international football personally. Who knows what will happen in the future?’

Howe, intriguingly, also has a relationship with McDermott, who will lead the search for Southgate’s successor. Newcastle chiefs have vowed that they will fight to keep Howe if England decide he is their No 1 candidate.

Chief executive Darren Eales has confirmed that Howe signed a new contract last summer. Asked if the club would ‘fight to keep’ Howe if England approached, Eales responded: ‘Yes, absolutely. He is exactly the right man for the project we are on and that is why we are committed to a long-term deal with him. This is the coach we want to lead the club for the future. We love him.’

However, it will be interesting to see if Paul Mitchell’s recent appointment as Newcastle sporting director changes the dynamic of how Howe is able to operate at St James’ Park and whether that becomes a factor should England make their move. Newcastle first-team coach Graeme Jones, who worked in the England set-up during Euro 2020, would be a contender to join Howe at the FA.

Pochettino, Potter and Carsley would likely be more straightforward appointments. Pochettino and Potter are both available after leaving Chelsea while Carsley is already employed by the FA in his role as England Under 21s boss.

The FA will look to appoint an interim head coach if they haven’t made a full-time appointment by September given they have games against Ireland and Finland. Mail Sport has learned that Carsley would be a strong contender to fill that interim role.

The FA believe their search for a new boss is in a good place with many in the organisation having expected Southgate to leave after Euro 2024 regardless of how the tournament ended.

With that in mind, McDermott is well down the line with identifying candidates, although women’s boss Sarina Wiegman on Tuesday night brushed off speculation linking her to the men’s job after a 0-0 draw in Sweden which saw England qualify for the Euros next year.

Wiegman, who led the Lionesses to victory at Euro 2022 and reached last summer’s World Cup final, is under contract with the women’s team until 2027.

‘To be honest, I think it’s really inappropriate to have that conversation, I’m with the Lionesses, I’m very happy,’ Wiegman said. ‘I’m disappointed he is going to leave. I really like Gareth as a human being but also as a coach.

‘I think it’s really inspirational what he has done, so well, for such a long time with the England team.’

Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland will also leave. The futures of fellow coaches Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Martyn Margetson are unclear.

The departed England boss is now expected to take a break from football before deciding on his next role.

A number of management agencies are set to approach Southgate, who recently severed ties with former agent Terry Byrne, with a view to representing the 53-year-old ahead of his next job. However, Manchester United are unlikely to swoop for Southgate — even if the club were to part ways with Ten Hag, with Tuchel expected to be first in line if the Dutchman were to lose his job.

In confirming his decision to leave, Southgate wrote: ‘As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it’s time for change, and a new chapter.

‘The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them.

‘My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day, I’m so grateful to them.

‘We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be. I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.

‘Thank you, England — for everything.’

Bullingham added: ‘I would like to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate and to Steve Holland for everything they have achieved.

‘They have transformed the England men’s team, delivering unforgettable memories. We look back at Gareth’s tenure with huge pride — his contribution to the English game, in player development and in culture transformation, has been unique. His record of winning tournament games is extraordinary.

‘Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success.’