Chris Sutton has labelled calls for Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as ‘bonkers’, as he told 606.
There is serious pressure mounting on Southgate and things weren’t helped by the fact that they suffered a 1-0 defeat out in Italy on Friday night in the UEFA Nations League.
As a result, there are sections of fans calling for Southgate, who guided the Three Lions to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the Euro 2020 finals, to be booted out before players head for Qatar.
Well, when one England fan suggested Liverpool midfielder Henderson should take charge because he knows the players, and during such a short space of time, he would be able to gel things together, it’s fair to say that it left former Premier League winner Sutton quite baffled.
Ignoring the fact that Henderson has zero management experience, has the 32-year-old even done his badges? It’s probably one of the crazier reactions to England’s current struggles under Southgate.
Nonetheless, this is how Sutton reacted to that call and he even joked that, whilst you are at it, they might as well give Tottenham striker Harry Kane the keys to the dugout.
“Who has had no experience in management at all,” said Sutton. “But you think Jordan Henderson would do a better job than a guy who has taken us to a World Cup semi-final before?”
The England fan responded by saying: “But do you think he (Southgate) is going to take us to this semi-final (in Qatar)?”
Sutton added: “I think he has a better chance than Jordan Henderson – but making the change, with respect, I have to say that I am slightly flabbergasted. One name I didn’t expect as the England manager at the World Cup or potential England manager would be Jordan Henderson!
“I mean that is left-field. That is really left-field – why don’t we give to Harry Kane instead of Jordan Henderson? This is bonkers. He didn’t just say that, did he?! If that were to happen, then I would run around Norfolk naked.”
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There are some bonkers takes, but this one has to be right at the top of the pile of all piles of bonkers suggestions.
Yes, Southgate is under pressure and he is being rightfully questioned and, since reaching the final of Euro 2020, the team has declined.
What doesn’t help Southgate’s cause is that there is so much talent for him to pick from, yet he still can’t make England look easy on the eye.
Then he has the issue of being loyal to far too many out-of-form players, as well as picking those who are hardly playing at club level.
Either way, this is probably the last hurdle for Southgate because he will struggle to survive if England are knocked out early in Qatar.
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