Sport
Gareth Southgate’s decision to resign as England manager did not come as a surprise. Although defeat to Spain in the final of the European Championships is still very raw, it is important to remember the result will have had little to no impact on his final decision.
Eight years in any managerial job is almost unheard of these days. But in the international game, it represents an obvious stopping point. One cycle is viewed as two tournament campaigns; a Euros and a World Cup. Southgate had overseen four tournaments; it took him that long to finally complete the work he had joined the FA as Head of Elite Development for in 2011.
Although managing the senior team was never on his list of ambitions, Southgate was always tasked with whipping England into shape to win silverware; through the implementation of certain developmental structures at grassroots level, and the psychological changes he made to the squads when he took over in 2016, he has undoubtedly done that.
His tournament record is phenomenal in comparison to almost any of his predecessors. Two semi finals in the 30 years prior to taking the job, he reached one and two finals. Although some thought the talent he had at his disposal meant it was win or bust – talent he had a key role in forging to begin with – other England teams have been just as good and achieved half as much. With all that said, this summer, despite reaching the showpiece event, showed that tactical understanding and in-game management are where the most improvement is needed.
Naturally, that has been the focus of the talk around his successor. Southgate’s England did so much right, but one area where criticism may be justified is the continuous insistence on nullifying their weaknesses, rather than emboldening strengths. Spain found a way to get the most out of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, whereas Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka had to come up with individual moments of brilliance to leave their mark.
And so, the requirements for the next manager are clear. It needs to be someone with a defined, forward-thinking philosophy who can continue with the political and psychological strides put in motion by Southgate. For all the wishful thinking of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, the FA’s desire to develop English coaching dictates it will likely be from these shores. Graham Potter, out of work since leaving Chelsea in April 2023, is a strong candidate but it is unsurprising to see Newcastle boss Eddie Howe at the forefront of many conversations.
Howe’s work at St James’ Park has been exemplary over the last two-and-a- half years, taking Newcastle from the brink of relegation into the Champions League while playing high-octane, energetic football. Howe has previously said he likes the nature of club football, coaching players every day as an obsessive over the game; he’d have to give that up, and this week when asked about his future he once again reiterated his “unwavering commitment” to Newcastle.
But there have been changes to the dynamic on Tyneside with Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, Howe’s most ardent supporters in the boardroom, leaving the club. Paul Mitchell arrived as Sporting Director, too, and his role will almost certainly encroach on work previously done by Howe, something he has already warned against if things are to stay harmonious at the club, especially after they were forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to comply with profit and sustainability rules. “There has been a lot of change at the football club this summer,” Howe said. “It has been a very difficult summer for everyone connected with the club. With change comes always a new feeling.
“You can point to PSR, Amanda and Mehrdad, a change in sporting director which, of course, influences me. These are all big changes. That is why I’ve made the points that I have because this has to work for Newcastle.
“It’s not about me as the manager. I’m slightly irrelevant. It’s about making sure Newcastle is as strong as it can be for the next season and beyond. We’ve all got to come together and make sure we are the force that we want to be”.
“We’re in the flux of change, it’s just happened,” he said. “I can’t say with a definitive answer where that will lead. I hope it leads to everything that I’ve just said. That could easily be the case, but it needs to be that way for Newcastle, not so much for me. The club is always the most important thing.
“I absolutely want to stay but it has to be right for me and the football club. There’s absolutely no point in me saying I’m happy staying at Newcastle if the dynamic isn’t right. I’m certainly not serving Newcastle well if I do that.”
Howe was very clever and candid when speaking about Newcastle. Effectively he was asking to be backed and allowed to work on his terms, or warning against potential consequences. He did his best to distance himself from the England job, but deliberately left the seed of doubt in there as a power play at a time of change for Newcastle.
Until the England job is offered, it is easy for Howe to distance himself. But he is on rocky ground at Newcastle amid a new landscape. If the FA do want him, now might be the perfect time to make a move.
