Issue 47 - Next England Manager

It may be the international break but it seems the perfect time to talk about who could be the next England manager. Who wants it, who has no chance, who doesn’t know yet that they may be the ideal candidate. Add a Premier League review as well. Issue 47. Go.

Magpies To Lions

In about eight months or so, there is a very high probability that England will require a new manager for their Men’s senior team.

In eight months or so, there is a rather high probability that England will win the 2026 World Cup (no laughing at the back please).

Regardless of whether 60 years of hurt are ended or not, Thomas Tuchel will be thanked for his service and subsequently move back to the cut and thrust of league football.

Which then begs the question: who is next to manage the Three Lions?

Lee Carsley is the in-house candidate after repairing his image last summer thanks to further Under 21 European glory.

Graham Potter may or may not do a rehabilitation job with Sweden and get his adopted nation to the same 2026 World Cup in England. If he does, his stock within the international environment might be worth potential investment.

Apart from that, the list of candidates move out of the probable and into the near impossible. Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, two names that the FA would love to work with in not the distant future. Two names unlikely to take the England reins next year.

No obvious candidate to be added to the list or at least not yet.

He might not know it, but the stars could allign for a certain Eddie Howe to be England’s next manager.

Obviously, nobody has told the Newcastle boss this but there is an element of discontent brewing on Tyneside and with the Magpies’ recent performances on the road leaving supporters scratching their heads, the former Bournemouth boss may need home comfort elsewhere.

Of course, a lot has to happen for all the pieces of the jigsaw to come together, but you do get the sense the first couple of segments have already lined up.

The Case Notes

Although there is mitigating circumstance regarding all things Isak, it is fair to say that Howe’s summer expenditure has not paid much in the way of dividend.

Nick Woltemade. Yes.
Anthony Elanga. No
Yoan Wissa. Jury’s Out

Their two recent defeats at West Ham and Brentford are games that Newcastle would have won last season with relative ease.

There is an eerie sense of deja vu when compared to how his tenure at Bournemouth eventually ended

He has just surpassed four years in charge of Newcastle - longer than many would have expected. Is it time for natural change anyway?

You can argue that there is a whole FA Cup run still to come, the likelihood of at least a semi-final in this season’s Carabao and not to forget, their impressive Champions League run that will likely take them into the next phase.

But the credit in the bank that has been built over that four year span is starting to deplete. Two points above the relegation zone is not where anyone expected Newcastle to be. Isak or no Isak.

Will Newcastle get relegated? I doubt it

Will this season make for comfortable viewing if they cannot string two league wins together? No.

Which makes you think if Newcastle are to break through the next ceiling of the Premier League structure and set out to do what their Saudi owners planned when completing the takeover, it may need a different man to do so.

A golden handshake for Howe. Straight out of the frying pan of the Premier League and into the fire of the England job.

What do you Newcastle fans think?

What do England followers think?

I’d love to know your thoughts via comments or email replies.

Ten Takeaways

A look at the main stories from last weekend’s Premier League action. Get yourself some Tuesday night takeaway.

Tottenham vs Manchester United

A game that certainly sparked into life in the last 10 minutes. Both teams thinking they had done enough to win it. Both teams having to make do with a share of the points on Saturday lunchtime. For Tottenham, it will certainly feel like two points after getting ahead in the game so late on.

The counterpoint is that United will feel like it was a point gained from the jaws of almost certain defeat. While it is a point that extends the Red Devils current unbeaten run to five league matches. After the nadir of their EFL Cup exit to Grimsby, it looks like this side is finally finding its feet under Ruben Amorim. The international arguably coming at the worst possible time.

West Ham vs Burnley

The same could be said for West Ham who have recorded successive league wins under Nuno Espirito Santo. A hugely important win on Saturday over Burnley - especially as the Hammers found themselves 1-0 down to the visitors and more importantly six points behind the Clarets in the live league table.

A margin that was wiped out completely by the final whistle and although Scott Parker’s men have recently got the better of Leeds and Wolves recently, those two wins have perhaps inflated their points total. Yes, they have 10 to their name and are outside the bottom three on goal difference, will this still be the case at the end of the month?

Everton vs Fulham

At one stage it looked like it was going to be one of the ‘those days’ for Everton. Two goals disallowed for offside in the first half. The deadlock finally broken to huge relief before the break. A much needed win for Everton which keeps them as a current mid-table side rather than the best of the teams in the bottom bracket.

A bracket that Fulham find themselves in and not only that, they are not even top of the bottom mini-league which is currently operation. Manager Marco Silva tried a different positioning of Alex Iwobi on Merseyside but there is almost a sense of moving the deckchairs at the moment - the fundamental problem is still a lack of goals in the squad.

Sunderland vs Arsenal

Have Sunderland played a part in getting this season’s title race finally underway? Their 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal was a coupon buster on paper but the Gunners going north for a Saturday 17:30pm did have some of their previous hallmarks when it comes to dropping Premier League points.

Whether it was a case of the Black Cats playing at a level far higher than their capabilities or the Gunners having an off night can be argued. I think sometimes we try and tilt the performance see-saw too far when there is no need to. This one felt like a draw due to two teams simply matching each other punch for punch.

Chelsea vs Wolves

Although Chelsea are not being considered as title challengers yet, their current position going into the international break should not be overlooked. A comfortable win over Wolves on Saturday night places the Blues in third place - albeit with just two points seperating themselves and Bournemouth who currently sit ninth.

Wolves are still managerless at the time of writing and were hapless at Stamford Bridge. However, there has been a twist in their recruitment process since the previous issue. Rob Edwards seemingly forgetting that Middlesbrough is a long way away from the West Midlands and with the Championship outfit standing down from duties, he looks like the next man in at Molineux.

Crystal Palace vs Brighton

Considering this game was labelled as one played by two teams who play exciting football, the encounter at Selhurst Park between Crystal Palace and Brighton was something of a disappointment. The Eagles perhaps leggy after midweek European exploits, something that supporters will simply have to get used to.

As for the Seagulls, the only point of contention was Georginio Rutter being awarded a yellow card for simulation. Good to see referees not afraid to dish the cards in this instance but do you remember when it used to be a two-game ban for simulation? Or supposedly anyway, I think it was Oumar Niasse who was the only player to every cop that punishment.

Aston Villa vs Bournemouth

Aston Villa reverted to type on Sunday as they made rather light work of Bournemouth at Villa Park. A 4-0 win for Unai Emery’s men means a fifth league win in six attempts - a marked improvement from their indifferent showing at Liverpool the weekend before. For all their early woes, this side has clicked and it has clicked without Ollie Watkins.

A real off day for Bournemouth, not only four goals conceded but also a missed penalty by Antoine Semenyo. The Cherries will not have too many off days in the league season but they do need to be careful of their overall defensive record. They have scored 17 goals but have now conceded 18.

Brentford vs Newcastle

Another team that is really finding its feet at present is Brentford. Another home win for Keith Andrews, this one all the more impressive after the Bees went behind to a first half strike from Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes. The long throw paying off in the second half, Dango Ouatarra playing a role in getting Dan Burn sent off in the same period.

There is no doubt that Dan Burn is a very solid defender - his stunning midweek Champions League header also showing how handy he can be in attacking positions. However, Brentford must have been licking their lips when seeing the England international at left back on Sunday. A torrid afternoon for Burn. A torrid afternoon for Newcastle.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds

After a hard-fought point against Manchester United the previous week, Sean Dyche is finally off the mark when it comes to league wins as manager of Nottingham Forest. Yes, they may have conceded early but they found parity straight away and once the scores were level at 1-1, you felt that the only winner of the game was to be the hosts.

Especially when you consider how Leeds have fared in recent weeks. Four points from 15 going into their trip to the City Ground. Four points from 18 after their collapse by the banks of the River Trent. Rumours are that the Leeds board are looking to get rid of Daniel Farke but who do they get in at this point of the season (more on this on Friday).

Manchester City vs Liverpool

Pep Guardiola’s 1000th game as manager and there would not have been as many victories as easy as Manchester City’s win over Liverpool on Sunday. Jeremy Doku had Connor Bradley in a tailspin for most of the game, this title eliminator sees the Etihad outfit positioned as the prizefighters to take on Arsenal between now and May.

Liverpool aggrieved by a penalty decision that did arguably see justice restored moments later. Liverpool seething by the time Virgil van Dijk’s header was ruled out due to a contestable offside from Andy Robertson. The defending champions lie eighth in the table - eight points behind the leaders. They have to be faultless between now and the New Year (including their trip to Arsenal).

The Filter Five

Five sprints up the touchline to keep you warm

Those Annoying Interviews

Remember in the summer when the Premier League made a huge announcement regarding increased media access for the likes of Sky and TNT Sports. Access that would come in the form of dressing room footage and half-time interviews with players.

Martin Odegaard out of breath when trying to summarise Arsenal’s first 45 minutes was quite a picture but the picture has now vanished. Has this whole concept quietly disappeared in the hope that nobody even remembers it started? Probably.

More AC-Hell

In Issue 44, I referenced the ACL injury that Michelle Agyemang really collected while playing for England. Another addition to this lengthy injury list within women’s football but not even the most recent.

Because Arsenal’s Katie Reid was unfortunate enough to damage hers in training for Arsenal. The 19-year-old set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Is fixture congestion to blame? Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh seems to think so. I think she has a point.

Sacked Swansea Manager

All change in South Wales as Swansea have sacked Alan Sheehan as manager. The twice-interim boss has struggled in his step up into full time employment. he leaves the club sitting 18th in the table.

England Squad Changes

Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope’s bruising weekend for Newcastle gets worse as they now have to withdraw from the England squad due to injury. The former replaced by Trevoh Chalobah and although far from like to like, it is more as further defensive cover if Marc Guehi fails to win his current fitness test.

England's final World Cup qualifiers are against Albania and Serbia, with the Three Lions having already qualified for next summer's tournament. Just going through the motions until the summer now.

Feed Him More

Erling Haaland’s 14th league goal of the season equates to 61% of all Manchester City’s league goals this season. The highest percentage contribution of any of the current top 10 scorers in the division. Is he going to reel in Arsenal all on his own?

Admin

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