Following England’s defeat to Spain in the Euros final, Gareth Southgate resigned from his position after nearly eight years in charge. As the Football Association searches for a new manager, former England player Glen Johnson has endorsed Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard as potential candidates who could win over fans, despite their less impressive managerial records. Although former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola are considered top contenders for the role, Johnson doubts either would be interested in the international job due to their preference for the daily grind of club football.
Johnson commented to Betfred: “I can’t really see either Guardiola or Klopp taking the England manager role. They’re both very passionate and wear their hearts on their sleeves, and I think they might find the job a bit dull. They thrive on the day-to-day involvement of club management, which isn’t the case at the international level.
“While it would be a significant step for Lampard or Gerrard, given their relatively early careers in management, sometimes you have to take a gamble. I’m confident that players would be excited to have either of them as a manager, and the fans would likely be enthusiastic about it as well.”
Despite guiding England to two Euros finals and a World Cup semi-final, Southgate’s departure leaves a challenging task for his successor. Among the favorites for the role are Guardiola, whose contract with City runs until 2025, Gerrard, currently managing Al-Ettifaq, Klopp, who has stepped down from Liverpool, and Lampard, who is currently seeking new opportunities. It remains uncertain who will ultimately take over from Southgate.