England manager Gareth Southgate could find himself under consideration by Premier League pair Leeds United and Newcastle somewhere down the line, former Three Lions star Trevor Sinclair has told talkSPORT (13 October, 10.45am).
One thing’s for sure, Southgate isn’t going anywhere just yet.
The former Middlesbrough boss has a contract until the 2022 World Cup and beyond.
And, speaking to Sky Sports earlier this week, the man himself admitted talks over an extension would get under way sooner rather than later.
But when the time comes for Southgate to walk away from international football, Sinclair believes there will be plenty of offers for a man who transformed England from underachieving also-rans into genuine title-challengers, thriving where better-paid, bigger-name managers such as Fabio Capello and Sven Goran Eriksson failed.
Could Southgate replace Bielsa at Leeds United or could Newcastle tempt him?
“I would say Leeds or Newcastle (could be options for Southgate),” says Sinclair, adding the 51-year-old wouldn’t have to move from his Harrogate home to take over at Elland Road or St James’ Park.
“(Southgate) is good enough for that.
“He’s got the second-best win ratio of any manager in England’s history. He’s been to two semi-finals, one final, is a great leader of men, is great with the media, and good at bringing in young players.
“Those are the pros. Cons – he’s not won anything and his tactics can be questioned.”
A Newcastle side now under the control of Saudi Arabian billionaires is expected to part with Steve Bruce sooner rather than later – potentially before this weekend’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Top-flight rivals Leeds may also face a big decision in the near future with Marcelo Bielsa now 66 and entering the final seven months of his contract.
Sinclair, however, believes there are still a few chapters waiting to be written in Southgate’s England story.
“Possibly not now but somewhere down the line,” says the one-time Manchester City winger when asked when Southgate might be on the move.
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