It’s time for FA to aim high, not take the safe option
July 19, 2024, 6:00 AM(Has been updated 6:03AM)
So the question now for Mark Bullingham and John McDermott is: how serious are England about winning something?
The Football Association’s chief executive and technical director have survived happily in the shadows while Gareth Southgate has shouldered the burden of a nation’s expectations. But now they face the biggest demands of more than a generation.
The simple path, the one of least resistance, would be to choose another cultured, continuity-minded candidate – Graham Potter is out of work but is quite good, could easily explain Chelsea’s failings and would not rock the boat.
Or how about Frank Lampard, with his influential supporters and the emotional intelligence to rally around this all-star team?
Either one will get things on track, chart a path to North America and, as Southgate has done, put together a coherent plan that gives us a chance in 2026.
Alternatively, they could postpone the problem by appointing an interim manager – Lee Carsley, who represented the Under-21s and won a trophy last summer, perhaps bolstered by the success of Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, who achieved a similar promotion and then thrived with minimalist management.
The problem is, England didn’t look like a team taking baby steps to glory in Berlin. They didn’t. Their agonizing month in Germany – their arduous journey to the final was punctuated by moments of magic in stark contrast to the inconsistency of much of their play – made it very clear that the national team needed something more drastic.
This is not to diminish Southgate’s achievements – history will judge them favourably – the outgoing manager has done more than anyone to calm the storm surrounding the national team and nurtured the grassroots of international football with so many unseen, unsung moments that contributed to the progress that has been made under his watch.
But to believe that this is enough, that a positive culture will enable England to close the gap to the winners, would be the worst lesson to come out of Euro 2024.
What England need is something revolutionary, a manager who approaches adversity with more than tweaks and quick substitutions, who is not afraid or able to radically rethink tactics – someone who can combine the charisma with a system that can free their attacking stars.
It is time for the FA to throw off the shackles of comfort and aim high to achieve big things, and the search for Southgate’s successor must narrow down to either Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp.
Certainly, the name is immensely ambitious. Guardiola holds one of the highest-profile and most lucrative jobs in club football and his ambitions show no signs of abating. An FA Cup defeat for Manchester City would be a major blow to the Catalan coach.
But City face a tough season off the pitch too. The 115 charges are a big deal. Guardiola has consistently supported the Abu Dhabi manager but privately recognises the potential for turmoil. His contract with City ends next year and no extension talks have yet taken place.
Even if the FA wanted to do something to permanently revamp the national team, it is unclear whether it could factor this into a pitch to players who may one day want to test themselves at a World Cup or Euros.
If he is not selected (and there is a reason he is rated at 28-1 by even the most generous bookmakers), an approach to Klopp would seem essential.
The former Liverpool manager is on holiday after an emotional departure from Anfield, and he sensed they were approaching the red zone and took action before it became a problem.
But international football doesn’t come with the same day-to-day demands, there is a structure under the manager that means it is effectively a part-time job and 2025 is a non-tournament year before a two-year cycle that starts with the World Cup and ends with the domestic Euros.
Does it matter that he’s German? The Premier League is so international these days that it doesn’t need to be. England broke the glass ceiling with Sven-Goran Eriksson and Sarina Wiegman has flourished for the Lionesses. We’re not so narrow-minded anymore.
England are closer to victory than they’ve ever been but they must not fall into the trap of complacency – they need a top-notch coach to take that final step.