The FA explores Guardiola and Tuchel as potential candidates while Lee Carsley steps aside from the long-term role

The Football Association (FA) is setting its sights high in the quest to replace England manager Gareth Southgate, with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola emerging as their top target. However, despite early contact made in the summer, the FA faces an uphill battle to secure the services of one of the most coveted managers in world football.

Guardiola, who has led Manchester City to six Premier League titles, was contacted by the FA at the start of this season to gauge his interest in the England job. Although his contract with City is set to expire next summer, Guardiola hinted on Italian television that “anything can happen” concerning his future. Yet, the transition from club to international football, especially with England, may require significant compromises, particularly regarding his salary. The FA would need to offer a substantial wage cut, which could prove a stumbling block for the ambitious Catalan. Additionally, Manchester City is keen to retain Guardiola, making the FA’s dream target seem more like a long shot.

Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel, another highly sought-after coach who is currently out of work, has also been considered. Tuchel, who enjoyed success at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, where he won the Champions League, would need to take a salary reduction as well. Sources close to the situation suggest Tuchel harbours doubts about taking on the England role, which may complicate negotiations further.

With Guardiola and Tuchel both seeming unlikely to commit to the job, the FA has turned its attention to leading English candidates, including Newcastle’s Eddie Howe and former Chelsea manager Graham Potter. Howe, currently enjoying success with Newcastle, has a £5m release clause in his contract, which would be another financial hurdle for the FA. On the other hand, Potter has been out of management since leaving Chelsea in April 2023, but it remains unclear if he is interested in a national team role at this stage in his career. Speculation suggests he is more inclined towards a return to club football.

While the FA is open to foreign candidates, following the success of Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman with the England women’s team, they are also carefully considering their homegrown options. However, Lee Carsley, who has been managing the England Under-21s, has confirmed he is not in the running for the permanent position. Carsley has been serving as an interim coach following Southgate’s departure and will remain in charge for England’s final Nations League group-phase matches in November. Despite this, his struggles, highlighted by a recent 2-1 defeat to Greece, have raised concerns over his suitability as a long-term solution.

Speaking about the loss, Carsley admitted to taking the defeat “personally” and acknowledged that the uncertainty surrounding his future has been difficult to manage. He has not definitively ruled himself in or out of contention but is widely expected to return to his role with the Under-21s.

“It’s important that the best candidate gets the job,” Carsley stated. “We’ve seen in the past that different nationalities have coached the teams. We’d be putting ourselves in a corner if we didn’t open our minds a bit.” Carsley has also distanced himself from the selection process for Southgate’s permanent successor, citing his commitment to the Under-21s, and leaving the decision in the hands of FA officials.

FA technical director John McDermott and chief executive Mark Bullingham are leading the search for Southgate’s replacement, with a March timeline in place to appoint a new head coach before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers begin. Should the Nations League playoffs occur, the new manager will have to prepare for those in the same timeframe.

As the FA searches for the perfect candidate, Guardiola remains their ultimate goal, though his recruitment remains far from certain. The challenge ahead is to find a manager capable of continuing England’s progress on the international stage while navigating the complex financial and strategic dynamics involved in making such a high-profile appointment.