GARETH SOUTHGATE has selected the date he will QUIT his role as England boss, according to sensational reports.
And the FA are said to have earmarked Pep Guardiola as their replacement.
Southgate’s deal at the helm of the Three Lions expires next year following EURO 2024.
Meanwhile, the contract of Manchester City boss Guardiola expires a year after in 2025.
But the Daily Mail claim the FA will try to lure the Spaniard into the England hotseat, with his appointment considered a “dream” by some at the FA.
The report explains how England chiefs discussed Southgate’s successor in the event he stood down following the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
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FA technical director John McDermott met colleagues to discuss potential successors prior to the Qatar tournament, where England made it to the quarter-finals.
Among the names discussed were Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Brendan Rodgers.
The FA are now said to be conscious of the uncertainty currently surrounding the England position following next summer’s European Championships.
They will reportedly keep the four previously discussed managers in mind but are keen to see where they stand with Guardiola.
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Guardiola’s public support of Catalan independence may prevent him being offered the Spain job.
However, his wages could pose a problem in bringing him into the England set-up thanks to the lasting impact of Covid-19 on the FA’s pockets, with reported losses of £300million.
Amid the speculation on new a new England head head honcho, the report does not rule out the possibility of Southgate staying on to the 2026 World Cup.
In the short term, Southgate has been dealt a blow over his latest Three Lions squad after Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold were forced to withdraw over injury.
England are playing a EURO 2024 game against Ukraine on Saturday before taking on Scotland in a friendly the following Tuesday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
