Gareth Southgate has announced he has left his role as England manager, with the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain his curtain call. Who could follow him?
In an eight-year tenure he has reached a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final, and two European Championship finals, making great strides from the Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland, but still not quite delivering what England craves.
So who are the favourites to take on 'The Impossible Job' next?
Next permanent England manager odds (via Sky Bet)
- Lee Carsley - 11/10
- Graham Potter - 9/4
- Eddie Howe - 5/1
- Jurgen Klopp - 8/1
- Pep Guardiola - 10/1
- Mauricio Pochettino - 12/1
- Frank Lampard - 16/1
- Ange Postecoglou - 20/1
- Kieran McKenna - 33/1
- Michael Carrick - 33/1
Odds correct 1200 BST (18/08/24)
FA favour continuity over fashion?
The success the FA have enjoyed with Southgate's reign and his renaissance of the England team means they could perhaps be persuaded to again appoint from within, which is seeming increasingly likely after Lee Carsley was named as interim boss for September's Nations League matches.
The Under-21s manager turned down the chance to become Republic of Ireland boss with it rumoured that he believes he has a chance of succeeding Southgate - a smart decision it would seem as he is now the huge favourite.
Whether he has the personality and man-management skills to match remains to be seen, on top of the fact that while he was born in Birmingham he played his international football for the Republic of Ireland, winning 40 caps.
There's no denying his efforts in guiding England's youngsters to glory last summer were incredibly impressive.
It now feels as though it's his job to lose.
Potter to work his magic?
Ever since his success at Brighton, Graham Potter has been touted as a future England boss.
For a long time, his disappointing spell at Chelsea did not convince the bookmakers otherwise as he remained at the head of the betting to replace Southgate, a position he has recently returned to.
The 48 year old remains out of work following his departure from Stamford Bridge in early 2023 but has reportedly not been short of offers.
It feels highly unlikely Potter will remain unemployed much longer, and perhaps he has been waiting for this tournament to finish before hoping to land the top job.
Howe about Eddie?
If the FA are to search for an Englishman within the Premier League, Eddie Howe logically springs to mind.
The 45 year old gradually edged into favouritism over the course of the season despite (or perhaps because of) a less successful campaign for Newcastle, before being replaced by Potter over the course of the Euros.
Last season's top-four finish was always going to be difficult to match or improve on and despite overseeing an iconic Champions League night against PSG, that European journey ultimately ended in anticlimactic fashion.
His ability to wrestle back a wayward season and secure seventh deserves praise, though.
Howe was fantastic as Bournemouth boss, propelling the Cherries to the most successful period in the club's history, and has proven at St James' Park that he can handle the step up to a higher-profile position and situation.
What about Poch?
Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea at the end of the season, despite a strong finish to the campaign.
The underwhelming achievements of the Fabio Capello era seem to have frightened the FA away from a foreign appointment, with Southgate following Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce into the role.
However, he now looks set to become the new USA head coach.
Should there be an incredible turnaround however, it's hard to imagine Pochettino would be an unpopular choice. His success with Tottenham (and before that Southampton) experience in the Premier League and love for living in England all make him a strong candidate for the role.
But it would not only be against grain of the FA, but of major nations too - of the eight teams who reached the knockout stage at Euro 2024 only Portugal had a foreign coach.
What's to stop Klopp?
Jurgen Klopp is available - surely ask him?
With Klopp saying he wants a break, it feels highly unlikely, and the Germany job could be available in two years' time, which seems more likely as a feasible next challenge.
Nice to dream though right? However outlandish it may seem.
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