Gareth Southgate tipped for shock career change as he quits as England boss and would be ‘uniquely qualified’ for role
GARETH SOUTHGATE has been tipped for a shock career change.
Today, Southgate quit as Three Lions chief after seeing his side fall at the final hurdle yet again with defeat to Spain in Sunday’s Euro final.
England shipped an 86th minute winner to lose 2-1 in Berlin.
And it sealed a successive heartbreak following the penalty defeat to Italy at Wembley three years ago.
Southgate has now decided the time is right to go.
The FA have reportedly lined up a number of targets including Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, plus former Chelsea trio Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel.
Southgate has now been tipped to find himself involved in the world of politics.
Football fan Sir Keir Starmer is the new Prime Minister after Labour won the General Election with a landslide victory.
And a political expert claims Southgate, who has already been tipped for a knighthood, should also be made a LORD.
That’s so he can then become the new sport and culture secretary.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Former PM David Cameron was made a Lord in November by Tory leader Rishi Sunak, allowing him to serve as Foreign Secretary until the election.
And American political guru Frank Luntz, who worked as a pollster for the Republican Party in a 30-year career, reckons Starmer should make a similar move with Southgate.
Piers Morgan on why it was time for Southgate to go
GARETH SOUTHGATE created a team in his own cool, calm, collected image, developed a fantastic team spirit with his players, and has performed better in major international tournaments than any manager of our national side other than World Cup-winning Sir Alf Ramsey.
But when the final whistle blew in Berlin’s Olympiastadion stadium, it felt like the right moment to say goodbye to Gareth.
I was there, with two of my sons, to watch England come up short, again, against Spain.
And none of us was enraged.
Disappointed, yes.
Angry, no.
Truthfully, for all our bullish ‘It’s Coming Home!’ social media posts, we knew in our hearts it probably wasn’t.
Why?
Because for all his ‘safe-pair-of-hands’ positives, the problem with Gareth, ironically, is that he’s just too safe.
This very talented squad of players should have been ordered to play with far more attacking flair through this tournament, as Spain did.
Put someone like Jurgen Klopp or Alex Ferguson in charge of these guys, managers with a love of rampaging flamboyance and with in-built desire to entertain, and we’d have won it just as we’d have won the last Euros too.
Read more from Piers Morgan here.
He said: “Gareth Southgate is an exceptional communicator.
“He knows how to navigate the complexities of the UK’s social divisions without blowing himself up better than any coach I’ve seen on either side of the Atlantic.
“In our polarised world, where people are even seeking to politicise sport, he is a uniquely qualified unifier.”’
Meanwhile, Southgate could also end up having a top corporate career instead if he wishes.
Found of sport talent agency TLNT Global, Tim Lopez, said: “There’ll be a rush of blue-chip brands wanting to engage with him, to be associated with his core values, his success.
“He is an unbelievable leader of men. Prior to his involvement in the England team it was an exceptionally heavy shirt to wear for players.
“But he has transformed the team into a group of players who want to wear the shirt who want to play for him. That kind of leadership is priceless.”
On the chances of Southgate getting a knighthood, a government spokesperson said: “The whole country is proud of what the team have delivered and getting to a second consecutive European Championship final is quite a feat.
“Gareth and the team have brought us some great moments to remember over the last few weeks.
“He has provided great leadership, he has done the country proud, but I wouldn’t get into commentary around honours.”
Southgate's gone - now it's time to go foreign
By Dave Kidd
There is a natural preference to appoint an English successor.
And in an ideal world, the England manager should always be English. But this is not an ideal scenario.
So the FA must be ambitious in sounding out the best man for the job, regardless of nationality.
Because England need a manager who would gain instant respect with players, who would be tactically bold enough to take on Spain and a strong enough character to deal with Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid Galactico status, which threatens to cause future issues within the England squad. Yes, when the FA have gone foreign in the past, it hasn’t worked out well.
Yet the problem with Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello was that neither had any previous involvement in English football.
They lacked knowledge and understanding of the football culture — indeed, Capello barely spoke the language.
Now there is a wealth of overseas managerial talent with significant Premier League experience, including Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel.
Read more from Dave Kidd on who England should turn to.