Howe, Potter, Mourinho – there are many potential successors

All good things must come to an end and it could well be that the reign of England’s most successful manager since World Cup-winning Sir Alf Ramsey is drawing to a close, depending on what happens this summer in Germany.

Gareth Southgate reluctantly took the job seven and a half years ago but he has been so successful with the national team that the FA are expected to follow a similar blueprint when naming a successor. So who fits the bill?

Eddie Howe – currently at Newcastle United

Arguably the prime candidate. The FA have long courted him, strongly considering him for the job to replace both Roy Hodgson and then Sam Allardyce in 2016, due to his phenomenal work at Bournemouth but deciding that, still in his 30s, Howe needed more time. His reputation has soared since, even if this season has been a tough one at Newcastle United.

Graham Potter – out of work

Potter, 48, was a leading candidate to replace Southgate had he decided to step aside after the Qatar World Cup, but at the time he had just started at Chelsea and was not prepared to leave such a highprofile job. But Chelsea quickly unravelled and he has been out of work for almost a year, biding his time for the right opportunity.

Gary O’Neil – Wolverhampton Wanderers

Last season, O’Neil steered Bournemouth away from relegation playing entertaining football, and many considered his sacking unfair. He has certainly proved how wrong the Cherries were after joining Wolves, who, against the odds, are well clear of relegation and eyeing a European spot, entertaining again.

Steve Cooper – out of work

Southgate had been in the FA’s England system before he became the first-team manager, as Under 21s head coach. Similarly, Cooper, 44, spent five years as head coach of the Under-16s and Under-17s – winning the U-17 World Cup in 2017 and finishing runners-up in the European Championship.

Lee Carsley – England Under-21

Could the FA perform a repeat of 2016 and turn to the Under-21 manager to work miracles again? The landscape feels very different now, with many more suitable candidates for the role and the job far more attractive than it was.

Jose Mourinho – out of work

Mourinho was first approached by the FA at the height of his powers when the position became available in 2007. At the time, Mourinho did not believe international football would hold his interest and he had many more trophies to win in England, Italy and Spain.

But after being sacked by Roma, Mourinho, 61, has qualities that point to the potential for success in international management: his siege mentality, motivational skills and record in knock-out football.