England are hunting for a new manager for the first time in eight years after Gareth Southgate announced his departure on Tuesday morning.
Euro 2024 is over an England are still reeling from losing the final at the hands of Spain.
Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal won it for Spain, leaving England with back-to-back European Championship final defeats.
Gareth Southgate has now decided to walk away from the job, announcing his departure less than 48 hours after losing in Berlin.
For the first time Sam Allardyce’s departure in 2016, England must now search for a new manager.
HITC understands that a number of candidates have already been on The FA’s radar, just in case Southgate did decide to walk away.
England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley, Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe and former Chelsea boss Graham Potter are all understood to be under consideration.
Graham Potter could rekindle Ben White’s international career
Carsley could mirror Southgate’s promotion the Under-21’s to the senior side and HITC understands that Howe is open to the idea of coaching England.
Potter represents a very interesting option too given his availability, having been out of work for more than a year now.
The hype around Potter was huge during his time as Brighton and Hove Albion, sparking a move to Chelsea in 2022.
That move didn’t really pay off and Potter lasted less than seven months in the job.
Chelsea haven’t exactly been stable in recent times though and Potter will still have believers – some of whom may be inside The FA.
Potter’s reluctance to return to management will leave fans wondering; has he been waiting for the England job all this time?
Potter has shades of Southgate’s emotional intelligence, which allowed him to knit the England squad together and gets fans invested again, whilst having also shown more tactical freedom during his Premier League days.
That will make Potter a very appealing candidate and a move would surely be of interest to Ben White.
Arsenal defender White has removed himself from England contention of late, ever since pulling out of the World Cup squad in Qatar back in 2022.
Southgate noted in March that Arsenal chief Edu simply told him that White had asked not to be considered for selection.
The Telegraph claim that a spat with Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland sparked White’s decision to not play for England.
Holland is now leaving alongside Southgate and if anybody could tempt White back into the England fold, it may just be Potter.
White played 39 Premier League games under Potter during their time together at Brighton.
Potter loved using White all over the pitch; right back, right wing back, centre back, even in midfield.
White’s development under Potter ultimately resulted in his Arsenal move in 2022 and the prospect of a reunion on the International stage may be appealing.
“Ben’s a resilient character, a fantastic footballer, a great guy, we all love him here,” said Potter, not only appreciating White as a player but also as a person – something which is key with the Arsenal man.
White has made no secret of the fact that he doesn’t really watch all that much football during his time away from the pitch.
That was clearly no issue for Potter though and he was able to unlock the best in him – just as Mikel Arteta has at Arsenal.
Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier may be coming to the end of their international careers, so there could be scope for White to nail down a starting role under the next England boss.
White may only return for the absolute right situation though, and his relationship with Potter means a comeback is a real possibility – if Potter lands the job.
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