Gareth Southgate has been told that he should stay on as England boss, with the importance of continuity being emphasised following the Three Lions' elimination from the World Cup.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has spoken up about the future of the England boss following their 2-1 defeat to France on Saturday night. He has claimed that the manager who has been in charge of the national team for the last six years can carry on in the job, but should he decide that his time is up then a successful career in club football could lie ahead.
Southgate is expected to make his own decision regarding his future, stating that he has had a "difficult 18 months" following his side's penalty defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020. He travelled back to England with the team on Sunday after their exit and any announcement regarding his future is not expected to come until the New Year.
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Former USA stopper Friedel, who also played in the Premier League for Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa, has lent his support to Southgate stating that his future will be successful regardless of his next move.
Friedel told Bookmakers.com: "I do think Gareth Southgate should stay. I'm a big fan of continuity with coaches, even at the international level. I know there's a lot of talk that second cycles and third cycles don't work. I thought in that game that the early stages, first 10 minutes, it was very even then. I thought England after they went a goal down were far better than France.
"I thought France set off England and England got chance after chance after chance. I really didn't see there being another outcome than at least a draw and going to extra-time. When England scored and then France came back into it, I thought it was quite remarkable, to be honest. England obviously had Harry Kane missing the penalty, it could have gone to extra-time again.
"Just because you lose to France in the quarter-finals, I don't think it warrants losing a job or needing to resign. I thought on the day overall England just shaded it actually, but they didn't in the scoreline. France have some wonderful players in their team, so we thought it would be a remarkable game. But does that warrant Gareth Southgate needing to resign or step down or get fired? No, I don't think so.
"I have no clue who the FA would look to as a replacement if they did fire Gareth, but would he be a very good club manager? Absolutely. I think he would be a good manager with another national team, or if he ends up staying with England, or with a club team. I think he has top qualities as a head coach. And, you know, if he is unfortunate, if he’s forced to resign or gets fired, I do not think Gareth Southgate will have a difficult time finding another job."
Chelsea manager Graham Potter was named as one of the early bookmakers' favourites to replace Southgate, while ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and former Chelsea chief Thomas Tuchel are also reported to be in the running according to the Telegraph.
Pochettino is now the favourite in the betting with Tuchel and Leicester's Brendan Rodgers close behind. Pochettino said recently: “Of course, my relationship with England has always been very good. We have a very good relationship with the academies, trying to develop young players for the national team.
“I feel so comfortable here. You never know what happens. I am open to everything.”
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