Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard have been backed to be popular England boss appointments but Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola would find it "boring".
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Southgate resigns as England bossGerrard and Lampard backed for roleKlopp and Guardiola would find it 'boring'WHAT HAPPENED?
Following England's Euros final defeat to Spain, manager Gareth Southgate resigned from his role after nearly eight years in the post. While the Football Association looks for his successor, ex-England man Glen Johnson has backed Gerrard and Lampard to be embraced by fans if they take up the job – despite their underwhelming managerial records. Former Liverpool boss Klopp and Manchester City manager Guardiola have been named as frontrunners for the job, but Johnson feels neither man will want to swap club football for reduced action on the international stage.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT GLEN JOHNSON SAID
The former Liverpool defender told : “I can’t really see either of them [Guardiola and Klopp] being England manager. Both of them wear their hearts on their sleeves, they’re super passionate and ultimately, I believe both of them may find the job a bit boring to be honest. It’s clear that they both enjoy the day to day work that comes with club management and that’s something they won’t get at international level.
“It would obviously be quite a considerable jump for either of them [Lampard and Gerrard], as they’re early on in their managerial careers, but sometimes you’ve just got to roll the dice. I’m sure the players would love to have either of them managing them and sometimes you’ve just got to take the risk. If Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard was the England manager, then I believe the fans would love to see that.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite leading England to two Euros finals, and a World Cup semi-final, Southgate stepped away from the England job. He was the Three Lions' most successful manager since Sir Alfred Ramsey led the country to the 1966 World Cup triumph and finding someone to replace Southgate and build on his work is a tall order.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Of all the managers tipped to become England's next manager, all four are among the bookmakers favourites to take the role. Guardiola is out of contract at City in 2025, Gerrard is managing Al-Ettifaq, Klopp stepped down as Liverpool boss and Lampard is looking for work. It remains to be seen who will succeed Southgate.