Second ex-Premier League manager expresses interest in England job if Southgate leaves

A second ex-Premier League manager expresses an interest in the England job if Gareth Southgate leaves after the World Cup.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino was at Wembley to see England’s final World Cup warm-up game against Germany and is in Qatar to watch some matches.

Southgate’s contract doesn’t expire until after the 2024 European Championships, but his future could be in doubt should England fail to live up to expectations in Qatar, but is adamant he has no plans to step aside after the tournament.

Mauricio Pochettino, future England manager?

Never say never… 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Read our guest writer’s #WorldCup column ⤵️

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 17, 2022

The timing of Pochettino’s declaration that he would be open to managing England will no doubt put more pressure on Southgate if things do not go to plan at the World Cup.

England get their Group B campaign underway against Iran next Monday, ahead of games against the United States and Wales.

It was previously revealed that former Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel would also be interested in succeeding Southgate.

Pochettino is well known to FA technical director John McDermott, who would be influential in choosing any successor to Southgate, having worked closely with him at Spurs.

Asked in an interview with The Athletic whether he would be interested in managing England, Pochettino said: “Of course, my relationship with England has always been very good. We have a very good relationship with the academies, trying to develop young players for the national team.

“I feel so comfortable here. You never know what happens. I am open to everything.”

He also believes that England are realistic contenders for the World Cup title as they bid to win the tournament for the first time after 1966, adding: “Their mentality, they are so brave, they are so offensive, they go to provoke the opponent and try to dominate.

“They don’t care about the team that is in front (of them). They try to deliver their job. I like how they approach the game, and they have very good players.”

He has been out of the game since being sacked by PSG at the end of the 2021-22 season, despite leading them to the Ligue 1 title with four games to spare.

Since the summer, the 50-year-old has been tipped to head to the likes of Aston Villa, Villarreal, Juventus and Nice, but he remains without a job in management.

Other than McDermott, Pochettino would be a popular appointment with Harry Kane, with the pair keeping in close contact since working together at Tottenham.

Pochettino turned down an approach from Aston Villa before the Midlands club appointed Unai Emery and has received other proposals from other clubs in England and overseas. But is seemingly holding out for the right job.

CURRENT FAVOURITES:

Brendan Rodgers – 5/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 6/1
Thomas Tuchel – 7/1
Eddie Howe – 8/1
Graham Potter – 12/1

Tuchel has been living near Chelsea’s Cobham training base and his daughters go to a school in Surrey. But he will be forced to leave the UK next month as a result of Chelsea’s decision to sack him and new post- Brexit laws.

Tuchel is keen in resuming his coaching career in England, which would see him granted a new Governing Body Endorsement visa, and would be open to the national team job.

He has also turned down approaches regarding two club jobs in England and one in Spain as he considers his options and waits for the right opportunity to arrive.

England have failed to win their last six matches, the form and performances since the Euro Final defeat to Italy has been uninspiring, however despite growing calls for him to leave, he remains adamant he won’t be stepping aside after the tournament in Qatar.

Instead, Southgate wants to see out his contract with the deal running out in 2024 but knows that his future lies with the FA should they flop in the upcoming tournament.

According to the Telegraph, Tuchel is currently preparing to leave London in December due to visa laws which were enforced after Britain left the European Union in January 2020.

Despite the fact Tuchel cannot permanently reside in England while he is out of employment, the 49-year-old intends to travel back to London regularly and split his time as much as possible between the capital and Munich.

🚨Mauricio Pochettino says he would be “open” to succeeding Gareth Southgate:

🗣“My relationship with England has always been very good. We have a very good relationship with academies, trying to develop young players for national team.”#THFC | #COYSpic.twitter.com/ABd6W2jUW4

— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) November 17, 2022

As a second ex-Premier League manager expresses interest in England job if Southgate leaves, fans have gave their reaction to it…

@JRT0809: Tbf I would take Poch or Tuchel over another English manager that’s done fuck all

@harrysimpsonn: I’d rather Tuchel

@TheHotspurOne: Keeps himself close and doesn’t harm his relationship with Tottenham or the fans. Smart move.

@nafisMUFC: Even a lamppost would be an upgrade to Southgate. Pochettino can do wonders with this England team. He knows the players, he knows the league. Might work.

@bsales99: Great… from one cup final bottler to another

@Ryan_Matt98: Get out of here 🤣🤣

@ChrisLukeJones: So Southgate’s gone after the tournament. Multiple managers talking like this about a job that isn’t officially available screams it’s all but done doesn’t it?

@PhilRogers81: Can he start today?

@ReeceDSport: That’s a bit more like it. Tuchel is just a better coach of Southgate’s principles. Don’t like it

@Trraavv: I will never get away from this man no matter what I do in my life

@AyWeWolves83: So will nearly win everything still 🙄

@Camkarot: Got him and Tuchel gagging for the England job, this better be the last tournament I see waistcoat on the sideline

@NikkiH_21: Sack him, sack him now

@alfduffy_: He’s coming home after conte

@Manu23588: Him or tuchel will be mad

@KingKane_9: Genuinely think Pochettino would revolutionise England. Doesn’t have the politics or transfer budgets / wage demands. With Eddie Howe + Graham Potter unavailable, and a Dutch manager delivering trophies for the Lionesses, maybe we are ready for a passionate foreign manager.

@Chickxn23: Yes, yes, yes and… yes.

@_sweeetjuliaa: I will be the happiest when he comes back to England ❤

@MOTweets1919: It’s coming home with Gareth, but you can have the job after, Pochy baby.

@ThingsTottenham: Mate, get him in ffs

@CansAndBansV10: He’ll be buzzing for an early World Cup exit for England then

@gregianjohnson: Extremely up for this.

@KidiabaPonyTail: love Poch but dont think he’d be a good fit

@xAlexTHFC: Would love that so fucking much

@jugs007: Now would be handy

@WitlessWolrab: Can he start tomorrow?

@woodburygooner: GET HIM IN NOW

@Medds92: Least he’d play forward football 👍

@Joe_1867: Ah yes that serial winnner

@DarrenT90430373: Can he get on a plane to Qatar today and make a start?

@JamieSpencer92: Would love to see Poch as England manager

@Lee911611: Wait, a manager thats proven himself in world football with a handful of clubs up against an abject failure… hmmm tough one

@luckysalt: This guy is broken isn’t he. Can’t be arsed with club football, wants nice easy England gig for few years.

@BandanaSavos: Don’t wait. Do it now!

@jstevens123: He’d be amazing at that job imo

@PatrickDTA: Get him in after the World Cup

@BFC442: Yes please football gods 🙏🏾

@JoeTomRed: Different league to Southgate. Get him in.

Poch or Tuchel pic.twitter.com/ikqD0hHZ8Y

— ⚒️ (@nathh_whu) November 17, 2022