Sport Circuit

By Ewan Jackson 

A 94^th minute Vangelis Pavlidis winner inflicted a shock, but well-deserved, defeat to England on Thursday night at Wembley. Against an English side overflowing with attacking talent, a hugely impressive Greece team were able to stifle and nullify the three lions, and they now sit top of the standings with a perfect record in Group 2 of League B in the Nations League, leaving England with work to do going into the final few games of the competition.

England interim boss Lee Carsley set up without a recognised striker in the eleven, instead opting with the dynamism of Bellingham and Foden to form a fluid front line with the width being provided by Gordon and Saka. A decision that unfortunately did not pay off. Whilst Carsley’s fearless team selection should be commended, it is imperative that the next permanent England manager must be able to harness the abundance of attacking talent at their disposal and build on the foundations laid by Gareth Southgate in recent years. 

Gareth Southgate’s decision to call an end to his reign as England manager after the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain felt like the right time for both the manager and the team to go their separate ways. He had made England contenders again for the biggest prizes in international football and, despite the criticism over his style and philosophy, had provided England fans with memories to last a lifetime. However it his failure to get over the line in two Euro finals and the two narrow defeats suffered at the hands of Croatia and France in World Cup campaigns which left many questioning whether a first England men’s national team trophy since 1966 was ever going to happen under Southgate. 

Fast forward to October and the English FA is faced with the mammoth decision of who is going to succeed Southgate as the next permanent England manager. Carsley’s stint as interim boss has provided stability but has also reflected why the next appointment must incite excitement and optimism amongst English fans. With names such as Guardiola and Tuchel circulating in the rumour mill, now presents a real opportunity for a statement appointment to be made. 

Pep Guardiola’s legacy in English football will be up there alongside the likes of Alex Ferguson and Bob Paisley, and there is no doubt that followers of the three lions would be thrilled if the Spaniard decided to take up the role of England boss. After having to endure the dominance of his Manchester City side over the last 8 years, English fans would leap at the chance of having Pep on their side for a change. The possibility of Guardiola being in charge of the likes of Kane, Bellingham and Saka (and many more) will have many believing football will finally be coming home. 

Likewise with Thomas Tuchel, his nous at major tournaments was there for all to see during his time at Chelsea. After winning the Champions League with a team which was struggling domestically when he first came in to the job, as well as being a Bundesliga champion back home, it would represent a huge scalp for the FA if they were to secure his services going forward. 

Other potentially exciting appointments come in the form of two Englishmen; Graham Potter and Eddie Howe. Two impressive young English managers who play attractive attacking football and, when partnered with a squad like England’s, could have incredible success. This England team is primed to win. Whoever is tasked with ensuring that happens will be judged on that, and that alone. With a squad that possesses world-class talent across the pitch, it is vital that this talent translates into success, something that has failed to come to fruition for the past England squads that have had the potential to win.