Premier League club take unusual step of talking up their own manager for the England vacancy

A Premier League club has taken an unusual step of talking up their manager for the England job.

On Tuesday, Gareth Southgate resigned from his role as England manager days after the Three Lions fell to a 2-1 defeat in the Euro 2024 final against Spain.

After eight years at the helm, Southgate labelled his tenure as England boss as the “honour of my life”.

The 53-year-old added that it’s time “for a new chapter” after his 102nd and final match in charge saw England become the first team to lose successive European Championship finals.

The likes of Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Ange Postecoglou and even Pep Guardiola have been linked to the vacant post, with the FA likely to make a decision before World Cup qualifying begins at the turn of the year.

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While the likes of Newcastle have expressed a resistance to losing Howe, Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs has taken the unusual stance of talking up their manager Gary O’Neil for the role.

Hobbs was quoted by Sky Sports saying: “They should be looking at him. I get it. He is excellent and I would be surprised if clubs weren’t looking at him.

“We will be doing work on other head coaches, not because we want Gary to leave but because that is the prudent thing to do.”

Wolves have talked up Gary O'Neil for the England job (Getty)
Wolves have talked up Gary O’Neil for the England job (Getty)

Meanwhile, Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales insisted the club are determined to keep Howe and will resist any approaches from the Football Association.

Asked if the club would fight to keep Howe in the event of an approach from the FA, Earles told the BBC: “Yes, absolutely.

“We’re on an exciting journey and, as far as we’re concerned, Eddie is the man to lead us on that.

“For us, he’s exactly the right man for the project we are on at Newcastle United and that is why we are committed to a long-term deal with him. That’s why we think he’s the right man for Newcastle. We love him.”