Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has provided a characteristically forthright response after being linked with the England managerial role, following reports that the FA might consider him as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate.
Ange Postecoglou Responds to Speculation About Replacing Southgate as England Manager
The national team is in search of a new manager following Tuesday morning’s announcement that Southgate would step down after a second successive defeat in the European Championship final. While the 53-year-old leaves as one of England’s most successful managers, having guided the team to a World Cup semi-final, his tenure concludes with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
Few could dispute that Sunday’s defeat in the final against Spain was deserved. Luis de la Fuente’s side had been the standout team throughout the tournament in Germany and outperformed England on the night. Despite finding an equaliser to Nico Williams’ opener through a well-taken goal by Cole Palmer after 73 minutes, England could not sustain the momentum to secure victory.
However, England once again retreated, allowing Spain to regain control. They were rewarded when Mikel Oyarzabal converted Marc Cucurella’s excellent cross to score the decisive goal four minutes from time, dashing England’s hopes.
As Southgate’s tenure comes to an end, there is a growing sentiment that a more attack-minded manager might have led England to success in at least one of the three major tournaments where they reached the semi-finals.
The FA’s shortlist to replace Southgate includes some similar candidates, such as Eddie Howe and Lee Carsley, both of whom are considered serious options according to TEAMtalk. However, they are also exploring more exciting alternatives.
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is among those being considered, while Liverpool legend Jürgen Klopp has also been mentioned. However, Klopp, who has already declined the opportunity to manage the USA national team, will not be in contention for the England role, as confirmed by trusted reporter Florian Plettenberg.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Plettenberg wrote: “Jürgen Klopp will not become the new coach of the Three Lions! He remains committed to taking a season-long break and does not intend to take over any team or association.”
There is also speculation that the FA might wait for Pep Guardiola if he expresses interest in the role, as his contract with Manchester City is due to expire at the end of next season.
Telegraph reporter Jason Burt has suggested that the FA will consider Tottenham manager Postecoglou, with an approach for the popular Australian potentially forthcoming.
These claims have been met with widespread surprise given Postecoglou’s popularity at Spurs, his brief tenure of just one year, and the relative stability of his position in the Premier League.
Postecoglou wasted no time in dismissing the rumours when asked about them following Tottenham’s 5-1 pre-season victory over Hearts.
“I am at the start of pre-season and am the Tottenham manager, so I have got nothing else on my mind but trying to bring success to this football club,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports News.
“Until I do that, there is no point in me thinking about anything else. I had a nap this afternoon, so I have no idea what is going on with the speculation.”
Postecoglou is entirely focused on Tottenham
The 58-year-old is no stranger to international football, having managed Australia from 2013 to 2017 and leading them to the 2015 Asian Cup title.
However, with his focus now firmly on club football and Spurs in particular, he was asked if he would consider a return to international management in the future.
“I enjoyed my time. I had four great years. We won the Asian Cup and qualified for the World Cup, but with all these things, there is always a natural end, and I thought it was a natural end for me there,” he added.
“I loved coaching the national team. In the future, who knows? Five years ago, I was in Japan, and now I am in the Premier League.”
With Postecoglou seemingly out of the running, Graham Potter remains the favourite, with significant support within the FA for the former Chelsea and Brighton manager, who has been out of work since leaving Stamford Bridge in April 2023.
Regardless, England will want to make a swift decision or have a plan in place soon.
They return to action on 7 September against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League and will want either a full-time replacement or an interim manager well before then.
Southgate was the highest-paid manager at Euro 2024, earning approximately £5 million a year.