It’s the ‘poisoned chalice’ of international football. Being the manager of the English national team is no easy task, but Big Sam Allardyce seemed perfect to bear the media pressure surrounding the role when he was appointed. However, the sting operation carried out by the Telegraph has put his job in jeopardy, with the Englishman likely to be sacked by the FA for revelations over illegal ‘third-party’ transfers.
This comes at the worst possible moment for the England national team, who are recovering from a pitiful Euro 2016 campaign and are staring at a tough road to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise as there are plenty of big names available to take over as England manager.
Here are 5 candidates who could replace Sam Allardyce as England manager
#1 Arsene Wenger (with Gareth Southgate)
For all of the scorn that is poured on Arsene Wenger for Arsenal, the Frenchman remains deeply coveted by the biggest clubs in football. The FA have made no secret of their appreciation for the Gunners boss, having approached him in the past. However, there is the small matter of Arsene Wenger leaving Arsenal to take over as England boss.
There is no earthly possibility of Wenger leaving mid-season, which would require the FA to promote England’s U-21 boss, Gareth Southgate as caretaker manager and oversee things until the end of the year – although with the England team often training at London Colney, Arsenal’s training ground, the Frenchman could still have plenty of input.
A new generation of highly skilled, technical young players like Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli and yes, even Jack Wilshere can be properly moulded by Arsene Wenger. Imagine what Wenger could achieve with a striker like Harry Kane instead of Oliver Giroud, thus enabling England to succeed at a level they haven’t achieved in the modern era of football.
#2 Alan Pardew
Before Sam Allardyce was appointed, Alan Pardew had this to say about becoming England manager “I want to be the England manager. It is a job I aspire to and it is an ambition of mine. But not now. Now, I have a big job at Crystal Palace and we have an important summer ahead of us.”
So what’s changed in 3 months? Not much, but Crystal Palace have made a good start to the season, sitting in 7th place, as Pardew continues to improve his reputation and be the bookies favourite to succeed Big Sam. All the FA have to do is convince Pardew that overseeing another mid-table finish for Palace is not what he aspires too & that a chance of becoming England manager might pass him by, just like Harry Redknapp.
Pardew would bring plently of attacking football to the table, with an English flavour, much like he’s done at Palace. In addition, the Palace boss would not be averse to playing any of the smaller, but hungrier names, as he has proved to be an excellent motivator in the past. We’re not far away from Pardew celebrating a last-minute Wilfried Zaha winner with an impromptu dance on the touchline.
#3 Jurgen Klinsmann
It’s telling that plenty of USA football fans want the rumours of Jurgen Klinsmann becoming the next manager of the England football team to be true. For all of the English media’s obsession with Klinsmann being the perfect, urbane, manager for the England football team, the German comes with some glaring weaknesses.
The USA side he oversees still struggles at a technical level, with Klinsmann often preferring athletic-speedy players over technical ones, leading to a counter-attacking one-dimensional side that struggles against bigger sides. It’s not exactly ideal for an English side that struggles at a technical level.
However, Klinsmann remains the man who reinvigorated a German side in 2006, and could bring some fresh ideas to an increasingly stale England side going forward. Klinsmann will also have plenty of leeway from the press, which should take away the pressure that stifles the stars of England.
#4 Louis van Gaal
While it might sound blasphemous to Manchester United fans, Louis van Gaal would be an unusually astute choice by the FA. For all his foibles, Van Gaal was excellent at mentoring young English players like Marcus Rashford, and could do the same with English talent breaking through for the national team.
He has previous with squeezing the best out of a poor national side, guiding an unfancied Netherlands to the semifinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a finish that would please England in 2018. In addition, Van Gaal is familiar with English football, and will have plenty of data on the strengths and weaknesses of the current English players.
However, Van Gaal comes with plenty of baggage – the English press was merciless when he was Manchester United manager, and that will be greatly amplified if he is England boss. With England looking dour going forward, Van Gaal’s possession style of play might frustrate plenty of English fans as well.
#5 Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe is by all conventional means, a rookie as a manager. However, its very telling that the rumours of him being named as Arsene Wenger’s successor at Arsenal aren’t being laughed off – there is substance to the steely eyed Englishman who has guided AFC Bournemouth to historic heights of the Premier League.
England are clearly in need of fresh ideas, and Howe is very skilled at getting English players to play a good brand of football – just witness how he has moulded Harry Arter into a midfielder that can compete with the best of Europe.
However, there is danger in handing the reins of the England national team to a young, promising manager. Just witness how Glenn Hoddle’s managerial career went downhill after his England spell – Howe, however, has more about him and could conceivably do well as England manager.
