Gareth Southgate's reign as England manager is over after eight years following their Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain on Sunday.
It was announced 48 hours after the 2-1 loss in Berlin that the 53 year old was stepping down from his role and would not be in charge for the upcoming Uefa Nations League and World Cup qualifying campaigns.
English Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said that the search for Southgate's successor has started, with the likes of Eddie Howe, Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino and Lee Carsley all mentioned in the UK media as possible contenders.
We take a look at what will be the big issues for whoever takes over from a manager who guided the Three Lions to two successive European Championship finals as well as a World Cup semi-final.
What to do with captain Kane
Striker Harry Kane finished the Euros with the Golden Boot award – albeit shared with five other players who also scored three goals – but it was a laboured showing in Germany from the England captain.
Substituted in the quarter-final win over Switzerland, the last-four defeat of the Netherlands – when his replacement, Ollie Watkins, scored the last-gasp winner – and the final loss against Spain, Kane looked unfit and off the pace having missed the end of the Bundesliga season with Bayern Munich due to a back problem.
His movement was clearly restricted and when he dropped back in search of possession, England were left without a target up front.
“Physically, it's been a tough period for Harry,” admitted Southgate. “He came in short of games and didn't quite get up to the level we'd all hope.”
England's next manager is likely to employ the high-pressing style now favoured by most of the world's top coaches and one that was noticeably lacking from Southgate's teams across seven games at Euro 2024. Whether Kane – who turns 31 on July 28 – will be able to provide that press is another matter.
But what cannot be denied is his unbelievable record for his country. Kane has scored 66 goals in 98 England appearances and is now the leading European scorer in major tournament knockout matches with nine strikes in 14 games. Ditching Kane seems unthinkable but the new coach needs to be less reliant on their ageing record scorer.
The left-back liability
The left-back issue was one of the most glaring problems for England at the Euros. Going into the tournament with just one option – in Manchester United's Luke Shaw, who had not played since February – was a disastrous call by Southgate.
Right-back Kieran Trippier was the square peg in a round hole for most of the tournament, meaning England's ability to attack down the left flank was severely restricted as the Newcastle defender continually looked to pass inside rather than hit the line and swing over a cross with his weaker foot.
England did have Joe Gomez in their squad, with the utility defender having successfully covered at left-back for Liverpool last season, but he is also a right-footer and did not play single minute in Germany.
Options for the new coach are not glaringly obvious. Ben Chilwell has struggled for form and fitness at Chelsea, his teammate Levi Colwill played left-back in his sole appearance for England in the friendly against Australia in 2023 but did not make Southgate's squad – and is primarily a centre-half. Tyrick Mitchell enjoyed a fine season at Crystal Palace and could come into the running if he can maintain that form.
The Foden and Bellingham conundrum
Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham were the best players in their leagues last season, picking up the Premier League and La Liga player of the season awards respectively. Now England must find a way for them to replicate the form they show for Manchester City and Real Madrid when they line up in the same XI on the international stage.
When marooned out on the left-flank in the first four matches, when England played too deep, Foden's impact was negligible – particularly in the opening win over Serbia – and he looked far more comfortable in a more central No 10 role behind Kane. The opening 45 minutes of the semi-final win over the Dutch was Foden's – and England's – best of the tournament.
But that No 10 position is one favoured by Bellingham, who helped fire Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double in his first season from that position. Bellingham, like most of England's midfield and attack, struggled in Germany but did produce key moments – the thumping header against Serbia, the overhead-kick versus Slovakia and the layoff for Cole Palmer in the Spain defeat.
One of the problems facing England managers during the so-called "Golden Generation" was finding a way to play Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in the same midfield. It was an issue that was never satisfactorily resolved and the new coach has to make sure it does not become a similar problem for Foden and Bellingham in his team.
Finally win a trophy!
The big one. And the one that has haunted England managers since Alf Ramsey guided the team to glory at the 1966 World Cup. Southgate came the closest by some distance by reaching two Euro finals, where his teams fell short against Italy and Spain, respectively.
The new man will inherit a far better situation than the mess Southgate took on after the humiliating Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland under Roy Hodgson, which was followed by Sam Allardyce's ill-fated 67-day reign.
Apart from generational talents such as Foden, Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, the likes of defender Marc Guehi and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo made their marks in Germany and will now be certain squad regulars.
A place needs to be found for Palmer in the new era and there are also exciting options such as Adam Wharton and Anthony Gordon to add to the mix, as well as reliable core players such as Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Declan Rice.
Whoever takes over will have an impressive pool of talent to call on as eyes turn to the 2026 World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the US.
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