England have started the process of replacing Gareth Southgate after he stepped down following the Euro 2024 final.

The FA have picked their ideal replacement for Gareth Southgate and are prepared to wait for him, reports say.

On Tuesday it was announced that Southgate had ended his eight-year tenure in charge of the England national team.

The Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, inflicted by a late Mikel Oyarzabal winner in Berlin, was Southgate’s 105th and final game at the helm.

Having stepped up from the Under 21’s in 2016, Southgate led England to two finals and fourth place at the 2018 World Cup.

England’s top brass have now started the process of replacing Southgate, with names like Eddie Howe and Graham Potter heavily linked.

And while they would prefer that process to be wrapped up sooner rather than later, Miguel Delaney of The Independent claims they are willing to wait for their dream boss as they did with Sarina Wiegman and the Lionesses.

According to a fresh report, the FA view Pep Guardiola as an “outstanding candidate” and would be prepared to appoint an interim manager before going all in for him.

Image: Getty

Previously the chances of bringing in six-time Premier League winner Guardiola were seen as slim but there is now the feeling that he could be available in 2025, when his Manchester City contract expires.

City are still working on convincing him to stay but any decision will be down to Guardiola and will be made in due course.

Since moving to City in 2016 Guardiola has had a transformative impact on the way football is played on these shores and aided the development of many English players.

In regards to replacing Southgate, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has already said there is “an interim solution” in place if necessary and there could be a scenario where Under 21 boss Lee Carsley follows the path made by his predecessor.

Image: Getty

The former Everton midfielder and City coach is seen as a contender for the job and could make a seamless transition for the temporary role given his various jobs within the youth set-up and the success with the Under 21s.

And should Guardiola not be interested or attainable, there could always be the option to give it Carsley full-time.

Guardiola is understood to be opposed to manage Spain due to him being a proud Catalan but has expressed an interest in international management.

Brazil have tried to get him before but the FA would use the challenge of ending England’s wait for glory as a persuasion tactic.

England’s next fixtures are in September when they take on the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the Nations League.