Top six favourites to become next England U21s manager

In this article, we take a look at the top six favourites to become next England U21s manager with Aidy Boothroyd’s job on the line.

The Young Lions crashed out at the group stages of the 2021 Euros after conceding an injury time goal in their 2-1 win over Croatia which was enough to knock England out.

The U21s needed to beat their opponents by two clear goals, with Portugal beating Switzerland, but Croatia’s Domagoj Bradaric scored a late stoppage-time strike to send his side through at England’s expense.

It marks the second consecutive European Championships current manager Boothroyd has overseen in which his side have failed to progress beyond the group stages.

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Should the FA decide to part company with the current boss after four years at the helm, here’s a look at the top six favourites to become next England U21s manager…

Joe Cole

The former Chelsea midfielder has emerged as a surprise contender to be the next England Under 21 boss, according to reports.

Cole, 39, has UEFA A licence and is keen to make a move into management instead of doing punditry for BT Sport.

He has also been a coach in the academy at Chelsea recently.  

His is known to be passionate about England, visiting the Three Lions’s HQ at St George’s Park to study training sessions and give talks to youth players.

Odds according to BetVictor: 12/1

Chris Wilder

Wilder’s departure from his boyhood club Sheffield United comes after just winning four out of a possible 28 league games this season.

The 53-year-old took charge of 227 games for the Blades, taking them from League One to the Premier League and looked set for European qualification, however the campaign stopped due to the pandemic and his side then saw a collapse in form.

Even though Sheffield United sit bottom of the Premier League table this year, Wilder has still managed to pick up 1.59 points-per game in Yorkshire, slightly up on his career average of 1.57 points-per game.

The Hoops have been linked with a number of managers to fill the Parkhead void left by Neil Lennon, who himself has been tipped to replace Wilder.

Crystal Palace are also said to be open in bringing Wilder to Selhurst Park with their current manager Roy Hodgson’s contract up at the end of the season and no closer it would seem to being signed.

Meanwhile, he claims to be holding out for a job in the Premier League with Newcastle United, who are fighting to stay up. He does have time to have a serious think however and with the job potentially available with England U21s, maybe it’s enough to tempt him.

Odds according to BetVictor: 12/1

Nicky Butt

46 year old Nicky Butt, an ex footballer, made a surprise exit from Old Trafford last week having been head of first-team development.

The Athletic claims Butt did not take kindly to John Murtough’s appointment as football director, a role he wanted to take up if given the chance.

Butt told the club’s official website: “Having come through the Academy myself to play almost 400 games for Manchester United, it has been an absolute privilege to come back and work with a new generation of talent making that same journey.

“I already know from my playing days how difficult it is to leave Manchester United.

“But it feels like the right moment for a new professional challenge.

“I look forward to exploring the opportunities that build on the great experiences I’ve had here over the past nine years.”

Odds according to BetVictor: 8/1

Jody Morris

Jody Morris is an English football coach and former midfielder for Chelsea, Leeds United, Rotherham United, Millwall, St Johnstone and Bristol City.

Morris returned to Chelsea for a third time when Frank Lampard was appointed as manager and was a key member of the backroom staff at Stamford Bridge.

Jody Morris said his departure from Chelsea alongside Frank Lampard was “tough to take on all levels” and believes the Blues have never had a coaching team that cared more about the club.

Morris returned to the Blues alongside Lampard from Derby County in the summer of 2019.

Odds according to BetVictor: 6/1

Justin Cochrane

Cochrane is a highly-rated coach and is well-known to the FA’s new technical director John McDermott, than man behind the decision whether to sack Boothroyd or not – having previously worked with him at Tottenham where he was an assistant head of development (11-16) and went on to coach at Under-23 level at the Premier League club.

The 39-year-old is a former Antigua and Barbuda international who previously played for the likes of Hayes & Yeading, Crewe, Aldershot, Yeovil, Rushden, Gillingham and Rotherham.

He was appointed England Under-15s coach and then moved through the age groups to take charge of the Under-16s and then Under-17s.

The former midfielder has built a strong reputation within the Football Association through his coaching ability and is likely to be shortlisted as a replacement for Boothroyd.

Odds according to BetVictor: 6/1

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard, who was most recently sacked by Chelsea, recently turned down interest in becoming the new Bournemouth manager.

He is currently assessing his options before returning to management after leaving Chelsea in January.

Lampard is well known for focusing on youth players and turning them into first team regulars during his spell as manager of Derby County and Chelsea which will no doubt appeal to the FA.

The former England midfielder, who netted 29 times in 106 international appearances, has help the development of several home-grown stars during his short time in management.

Most famously, Lampard gave Mason Mount his Chelsea debut having managed the England international on loan at the Rams.

The former Champions League and three-time Premier League winner is seen as someone who would certainly garner the respect of England’s youth players having risen through the ranks himself, making 19 appearances for the Under-21s between 1997 and 2000.

Odds according to BetVictor: 5/1