The four-man shortlist to replace Gareth Southgate has now been revealed, and there are a few surprises.
Under interim manager Lee Carsley, the Three Lions recently defeated Ireland and Finland 2-0 in their opening 2024/25 UEFA Nations League encounters.
In July, Southgate parted ways with the national team after their loss to Spain in the 2024 UEFA European Championship final.
A shortlist of four candidates has been drawn up by the FA, despite Carsley's impressive start as England manager, according to The Telegraph.
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There are reports that Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, and Frank Lampard are on the FA's radar, while Pep Guardiola is the governing body's dream candidate.
Various candidates have been contacted by the FA, and they are expected to keep their options open over the next few months.
Guardiola, whose contract with Manchester City expires at the end of the current season, may seem like the ideal choice for the association's next manager, but he is "unlikely" to be selected.
In 2022, Howe signed a "long-term" extension with Newcastle United.
Since leaving Chelsea in April last year, Lampard and Potter have not been in a managerial role.
He was replaced by Lampard, who will serve as caretaker manager until June 2023. Lampard has also been without a club since leaving Everton.
However, Carsley is also rumored to be in the running to succeed Gareth Southgate, but the FA is believed to be looking into all their options before making a final decision.
The interim head coach has four more games to lead the side out of the group stage and into the next round of the Nations League.
It is reportedly the FA's intention to appoint a permanent manager before the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers begin.
