‘Embarrassing’, ‘pathetic’ and ‘inept’ are just three of the words being used to describe England’s latest exit from a major international football tournament. However, this was not just the usual exit from a tournament, yes the World Cup failure in 2014 was bad but this was an all-time low. Losing 2-1 to Iceland, a team which has never played at a European Championship or World Cup before, is unacceptable and Roy Hodgson was quick to announce his departure after the game. As England fans wait for Hodgson and his players to front-up and answer some serious questions, the search for the next England manager has already begun.
The FA expected Hodgson to last until the 2018 World Cup, so this will leave them unprepared but according to the bookmakers, some leading contenders are already emerging.
Installed at 7/4 with PaddyPower and the clear favourite in the bookmaker’s eyes, is Gareth Southgate. The former England international, is currently the manager of the England Under 21 team and has tasted success with them, leading them to victory at the recent Toulon tournament. Therefore, Southgate has enjoyed a tournament win managing an England team and is already familiar with the set-up at St George’s Park. However, Southgate has not managed at the top level of the game for seven years and in his last role, he took Middlesbrough down to the Championship, before being sacked with them sitting fourth in the table.
The question has to be asked, is he the favourite because he has all the credentials to succeed in the role or is it perhaps due to the fact, there is currently no one else available?
Jose Mourinho would surely have been the number one choice, if he had not signed a contract with Manchester United this summer. Other names mentioned, include Alan Pardew (12/1 Skybet), Harry Redknapp (14/1 Coral), Sam Allardyce (16/1 Bet365) and former manager, Glenn Hoddle (7/1 Ladbrokes). Most England fans will agree, this list of names is not particularly inspiring and if the players could have done with something in the match against Iceland, it was a good deal of inspiration.
Maybe it’s time to look towards a foreign manager again, such as Jürgen Klinsmann. This is a manager who has huge experience at international level, with both Germany and United States. He understands English football and comes with a winning mentality and tactical knowhow, on the international stage. Klinsmann is 25/1 with William Hill to be the next manager of England. Current West Ham manager, Slaven Bilic, who is 33/1 with Ladbrokes, offers a similar package to Klinsmann, in addition to mental toughness and the sort of charisma the media would love. Tempting him away from West Ham, where he is building something very good, will be difficult.
In truth, it’s highly likely only the English managers would give up their current posts, to take charge of the England team. Furthermore, it’s far from a given, whoever is offered the job, will actually want to accept it. That being said, can the England football team get any lower than it is at the moment? The only way is up but who is the right man to come in and drag English football out of the mire?
