England 'considering' Under-21 Euros winner as Gareth Southgate replacement

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 03 July 2024

New contender for England job 'revealed' after Southgate admission

England reportedly shortlist Under-21 European Championship-winning head coach Lee Carsley as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate.

England have reportedly shortlisted an Under-21 manager with European Championship-winning experience as a possible successor to Gareth Southgate.

The Three Lions have now reached four straight major tournament quarter-finals under Southgate, whose troops will take on Switzerland on Saturday in the last eight of Euro 2024.

However, England have been lambasted for mediocre displays at the current competition, having failed to win any of their last three games in 90 minutes since edging out Serbia 1-0 on the opening matchday.

Following lacklustre draws with Denmark and Slovenia to conclude Group C, England were on the verge of losing their last-16 clash against Slovakia, only for Jude Bellingham's last-gasp acrobatic effort to force extra time before Harry Kane's winner.

The finger of blame has been pointed at Southgate for England's lack of attacking impetus in Germany, and a portion of fans even threw cups at the 53-year-old after their uninspiring draw with Slovenia last month.

England Under-21s manager Lee Carsley before the match on March 25, 2023 © Reuters

Lee Carsley 'among contenders' to replace Southgate

Southgate's contract with the FA only runs until the end of the calendar year, although the governing body are reportedly keen for him to stay on past the Euros and lead England to the 2026 World Cup.

However, Southgate conceded before Euro 2024 began that the current tournament would likely be his last if England under-perform, and his future currently remains the subject of much uncertainty.

Should the former Middlesbrough boss decide that his time as England boss has run its course, talkSPORT claims that current Under-21s head coach Lee Carsley would be in consideration to replace him.

The 50-year-old memorably led England's young products to Under-21 European Championships glory last year, where the Young Lions beat Spain 1-0 in the final and did not concede a single goal throughout the tournament.

Having won 23 of his 29 matches in charge of the Under-21s, Carsley has supposedly built up serious credit in the bank with the FA, who have formulated a 'contingency plan' for Southgate's possible departure.

England manager Gareth Southgate pictured on June 30, 2024 [IMAGO] © Imago

Carsley - who represented Everton, Coventry City, Birmingham City, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers during his playing heyday - reportedly turned down the chance to become Republic of Ireland boss last year to continue his work with the Under-21s, whom he took charge of in the summer of 2021.

The former midfielder has also held coaching positions with Birmingham, Manchester City, Brentford, Sheffield United and Coventry since retiring as a player in 2011, but he has never held a permanent manager's job with a senior side.

Who else are England considering to replace Southgate?

While Carsley's exploits with the youth team have earned him admirers within the FA, he lacks the senior managerial experience of other candidates, namely Graham Potter and Newcastle United's Eddie Howe.

There has also been frequent talk of Mauricio Pochettino potentially taking the reins following his unexpected exit from Chelsea, but the FA would apparently prefer to appoint somebody home-grown.

The England men's team have only ever had two foreign managers in charge, firstly Sven-Goran Eriksson from 2001 to 2006 before Fabio Capello's spell from 2008 to 2012.